The Dancing Master

It was originally small so that the dancing master could hide it under his cloak and consult it surreptitiously.

[1] Subsequent editions introduced new songs and dances, while dropping others, and the work eventually encompassed three volumes.

In 1957 Margaret Dean Smith completed her facsimile book Playford's English Dancing Master.

[3] Dances from the book, in reconstructed forms, remain popular among dancers today.

Early versions of the book are rare and command high prices.