Etiquette for Women

First published in 1902 as part of the popular "Isobel Handbooks" series, Etiquette for Women: A Guide to the Usages of Good Society stands as a fascinating window into the rigid social architecture of late Victorian and early Edwardian England. Written by G.R.M. Devereux (Gladys Robertine Margaret Devereux), a prolific guidewriter of the era, the book served as an indispensable manual for middle-class women striving to navigate the complex social landscape of the turn of the century. The text provides highly detailed, step-by-step instructions on a vast array of topics, including the precise etiquette of paying social calls, the art of formal introductions, proper dress for dinner parties and weddings, and the delicate management of household servants. Devereux’s writing emphasizes that proper etiquette is not merely a collection of arbitrary rules, but an essential mechanism for preserving social order, demonstrating moral refinement, and projecting class status.

The physical production of this slim, elegant volume represents a notable collaboration between the prominent London publisher C. Arthur Pearson Ltd. and the legendary printing firm Ballantyne, Hanson & Co. of Edinburgh. Printed on high-quality machine-made paper with a layout tailored for quick reference, the volume is most frequently encountered in its original publisher's binding of decorative cloth, priced at "1s." (one shilling) on the spine to target a broad, aspirational female readership. The inclusion of the Ballantyne, Hanson & Co. imprint ensures a high standard of turn-of-the-century typography and composition, as they were renowned for their crisp presswork and careful attention to margins.

Red cloth binding with illustration of an elegant lady on the cover and white lettering to upper board and spine. Advertisement in white lettering to lower board. Advertisements to endpapers. Sunfading to spine and some general wear to the binding but fully intact. Very good condition.