The Dandy's Toilet, Or, How To Be A Beau -

(England, 1835. (4)pp., + 8ff. Original manuscript set of costume overlays depicting the evolution of a "Youth just ceased to grow" into a "Dandy quite complete." The Youth's ambition is to be a "Beau," and in each successive overlay, he puts on more of the trappings of dandyism until his costume is in place, with black velvet stock (or cravat), corset, boots, pantaloons, coat, whiskers, mustache, wig, and hat. The overlays are hand-drawn and colored in a caricaturish style, with a hole to show the Youth's face below, and they are accompanied by a four-page hand-written account in rhyme of the Youth's transformation, which builds on itself with each additional article of clothing. The hourglass shape of the Youth's frock coat and his pantaloons date the set to the period between 1825 and 1835. His coat is made by famous Savile Row tailors Henry Poole & Co. and once he has finished his transformation, the Youth is ready to lounge on Regent Street. Minor wear to booklet and light spotting to overlays, else fine. Housed in cloth chemise. (Jane Austen's World; Regency Men's Fashion; Valsin, Ellie, Men's Fashion ca. 1830 Coats).