A George III mahogany breakfront library bookcase, circa 1780, the dentil and pendant moulded cornice above four astragal glazed cabinet doors opening to adjustable shelves, the base section with four panelled doors opening to fitted drawers, on a plinth base, 245cm high, 366cm wide, 63cm deep, together with a quantity of books and leather bindings Provenance: Previously in the collection of the late John Marsh, Lawnswood House, South Staffordshire. Purchased with the property from Jack Bean in 1966. Sold in these rooms in 23rd March 2018 (£12,000) For a design of bookcase adopting a very similar design of astragal glazing and fitted drawers with circular handles, see Elizabeth White, Pictorial Dictionary of British 18th Century Furniture Design, Antique Collectors Club, 1990, page 243 where Plate 45 illustrates a bookcase design from Hepplewhite's 'The Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer's Guide'. See also Thomas Chippendale, The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker's Director, (Third Edition 1762), Republished John Tiranti Ltd, 1939, Plate LXXXVII, 'Two Bookcases' for a bookcase demonstrating the same design of door panel, the moulding shaped at the corners to accomadate distinctive finely carved patera terminals. Please Note: The books in the bookcase that are physically on view in the saleroom are included with the lot. There are not enough to fill the bookcase. The books in the bookcase illustrated in the catalogue are not included with the lot Condition Report: One hinge to the left central cupboard door is detached (screws present), repair to the interior of the door required for hinge to be fixed securely The left side of the lower section has a split/loose section of timber to one side (approx. 45 x 4cm) Some small losses to moulding of the cornice Slightly larger loss of moulding to one central lower door Moulding lacking from far right side of upper section Small sections of replacement to veneers throughout Brass strips to the upper door edges overlap onto the escutcheons, these could possibly be later and the escutcheons have been cut down on one side Small areas of damage/distress to sides of doors where the open lock bolts of neighbouring doors have struck Fading, particularly to one side of bookcase Very old deep gouge to right side of upper section (approx. 13cm) The shelves to the upper section are all cedar and the drawer linings of the lower section are all solid mahogany All glazing appears original with only the expected small losses to putty Please refer to additional images for visual reference to condition Condition Report Disclaimer