The cabinet-makers' London book of prices, and designs of cabinet work, calculated for the convenience of cabinet makers in general, whereby the price of executing any piece of work may be easily found 1793

Editor: This is the title page of *The Cabinet-Makers’ London Book of Prices, and Designs of Cabinet Work*, from 1793, printed on paper. The Metropolitan Museum of Art credits it to the London Society of Cabinet Makers. The typography is fascinating! I’m curious though, what is your perspective on its historical significance? Curator: Indeed! What draws me is how this seemingly simple page reveals a whole world of cultural memory. Notice how the very language, the phrase "book of prices," hints at the burgeoning market economy of the late 18th century. The symbol here, is of social mobility tied to craftmanship. Editor: I hadn’t considered the economic implications, only the visual design and intention. Curator: Precisely! And those implications shape the visual language. The fonts, the layout—everything speaks to a rising merchant class eager for standardized goods, accessible design, and predictable pricing. Consider the addresses printed at the bottom. Do you think that the location plays into the design decisions? Editor: It does. Those aren’t just places; they are a directory that establishes the value of design and commerce. It shows a culture being built. Curator: Well observed. Every element on this page—from the font choices to the phrases—acts as a cultural symbol, encoding societal values, desires, and ambitions. And isn't it incredible that a simple price guide can reveal so much? Editor: Absolutely! Now I view the entire piece from a different vantage. It’s like peering into the mindset of the time through symbolic breadcrumbs. Curator: Yes, it also makes me wonder about the emotional state of artisans then; what hopes and uncertainties did they harbor, as their traditions encountered industrial changes.