A Game of Golf; a book of Reminiscences
London: Hutchinson, 1933. 254p cloth, illustrated. introduction by Bernard Darwin. 1st IK edition. This is one of the classic Biography's of golf and particularly American history. D&J O6370. More
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Bernard Richard Meirion Darwin, C.B. E (for services to literature and sport) was born on September 7, 1876 and died on October 18, 1961, age 85. He was the first grandchild of the famed naturalist Charles Darwin, and the only son of Francis Darwin and Amy Ruck Darwin who died shortly after Bernard’s birth. To his friends and admirers he was known as Bernardo. Eighty five years is a long life span especially for one born in the Victorian era. Incredible as it seems, his tiny heart started beating in the month young Tommy Morris died and continued beating into the dawn of Jack Nicklaus’s reign.
Bernardo was the first writer to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. He was also a top-of-the-tree Amateur golfer: Captain of the Cambridge golf team; founding member of The Oxford and Cambridge Golfing Society; member of at least 28 golf clubs and captain of several including The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. Darwin played, and won, his singles match over the United States Captain
in the first Walker Cup Match. He also waged war (a true ‘Hyde’ when on the green) in 26 British Amateur Championships over five decades (his last at age 59) reaching the semi-finals twice.
Bernardo was many things to many people, some of whom couldn’t care less about golf. Contemporary eminent scholars considered Bernard Darwin to be the greatest living essayist in the English language. Although graduating from Cambridge with a Law degree, and ‘enduring too many years’ practicing as a barrister and a solicitor, he began to write in 1902 about his true love – golf. And he never stopped. His last article appeared in Golf Monthly (UK) the month he died. Most of his writings were for Country Life (UK) magazine and The Times newspaper concurrently from 1907 through 1961. But he had many other loves. Literature permeated whatever subject he was drawn to that day; witness his frequent quotes from Charles Dickens, Sir Walter Scott, Wilke Collins, Sir Arthur Conon Doyle, Robert Louis Stevenson, just to name a few masters. Although most of his articles, essays, and books were about golf a surprising, almost shocking, percentage were not: for example ‘Fourth Leader’ editorials in The Times, and ‘A Casual Commentary’ articles in Country Life were about subjects as diverse as cricket, elephants, public schools, children, war, foot racing, prize-fighters, railroads, gypsies, murders, zoos, circus art, etc.
He and wife Elinor (nie Monsell, from Ireland) raised their family in Downe Village, Kent, barely one mile from his childhood home, Down House. Their children inherited talent from their parents: drawing and engraving from Mama, writing and singing from Papa. Their oldest child was Ursula Francis Elinor Mommens (1908 – 2010) who became a well-known potter. Sir Robert Vere Darwin, ‘Robin’ (1910 – 1974) became an artist, educator, and Rector of the Royal College of Art. Nicola Mary Elizabeth Fenn (1916 – 1975) was a classical soprano. ‘Niccy’ was born shortly before Bernard left for Macedonia to serve as a Major in the King’s Army during ‘The Great War’.
In short, Bernard Darwin liked to admit that he was blessed to earn a living while doing the things he liked best. Bernardo and Eily rest in peace in St Mary the Virgin Churchyard in Downe.
Dick Verinder, Editor
Dormy House Press
Washington, Texas
London: Hutchinson, 1933. 254p cloth, illustrated. introduction by Bernard Darwin. 1st IK edition. This is one of the classic Biography's of golf and particularly American history. D&J O6370. More
London: Walton Heath Golf Club, 2003. 98p. Illustrated wrappers. Centenary magazine, bound in cloth. Comprehensive publication, fine 36 holes of heathland golf, close the London. Additional 8 page historical brochure published in the mid 1990's. "If there is anything a golfer wants and does not get at Walton, I do..... More
Birkenhead: Guy Woodland. 2006. Guy Woodland in Collaboration with Cities500, UK, 2006. Cloth. First Edition. One book within the set is a reproduction of the history published in 1933. This was written by Guy B Farrar with a Foreword by Bernard Darwin and published by Willmer Brothers of Birkenhead. The..... More
London: Adam & Charles Black, 1946. 55p. cloth. Introduction by Bernard Darwin. More
London, England: Duckworth and Co., 1959. 176p. cloth. Foreword by Bernard Darwin. Autobiographical instructional. Rees a stalwart British (Welsh) golfer, either side of World War II, Rees Captained the famous 1957 winning British Ryder Cup team at Lindrick, along with his 9 appearances for the British team making him one..... More
New York: Stokes, ca 1932. 102p, illus. bds. Intro. by Darwin. D&J R6910. More
New York: Stokes, ca 1932. 102p, illustrated boards. Introduction by Darwin. D&J R6910. More
London: W. Foulsham and Co. Ltd., 1953. 304p cloth Jacket. Special Foreword by Bernard Darwin, unique to the UK edition of this book. D&J R7600. More
London: W. Foulsham and Co. Ltd., 1953. 304p cloth Jacket. Second Impression. Special Foreword by Bernard Darwin, unique to the UK edition of this book. D&J R7600. More
London: W. Foulsham and Co. Ltd., 1953. 304p cloth Jacket. Special Foreword by Bernard Darwin. Unique to the UK edition of this book. D&J R7600. More
London: Macmillian Publishing, 1956. 256p, dec. cloth. Foreword by Bernard Darwin. D&J S1510. More
Glasgow: Jackson, Son & Co., 1938. 144p. Introduction by Bernard Darwin. Illustrated from photographs and drawings, including frontispiece, and with 5 large folding plans of the links and grounds in the back. 25x18.3 cm. (10x7½"), gilt-lettered red cloth, top edge gilt, other edges untrimmed. First Edition. History of the famed..... More
London: Michael Johnston Ltd. 332p. cloth. Library binding, but making use of original dust jacket, odd library stamp and removed bookplate. Useful (Introduction) Darwin addition. More
Prestwick, Scotland: Prestwick Golf Club, 1989. 238p, decorative leatherette. Introduction by Bernard Darwin. Foreword by Viscount Whitelaw, preface by C.D.M. Cameron. Part of the original holes being the first 5 and last 6 holes are ultimate links golf. Home of the first Open Championship, a club steeped in history. D&J S22420. More
London: W. H. Smith & Son, 1912. 212p. cloth Contributors include Sir George Riddell, Bernard Darwin, Martin Sutton, Harry S. Colt, and A.D. Hall. Harry Colt's first major contributions to golf architecture literature, Darwin writes on how course influence style of play. Part of the Percy Boomer golf library. D&J..... More
London: Jonathan Cape, 1943. 236pp cloth. Introduction by Bernard Darwin. Autobiography of Taylor's career. One of very few war time publication's. This is a must read book for anyone interested in the development of golf from its early days. Scarce in War time Dust Jacket. D&J T2980. More
London: Jonathan Cape, 1943. 236p cloth. 2nd edition printed in June 1943, 1st was printed in May 1943. Introduction by Bernard Darwin. Autobiography of Taylor's career. One of very few war time publication's. This is a must read book for anyone interested in the development of golf from its early..... More
London: Jonathan Cape, 1943. 236p cloth. 2nd edition printed in June 1943, 1st was printed in May 1943. Introduction by Bernard Darwin. Autobiography of Taylor's career. One of very few war time publication's. This is a must read book for anyone interested in the development of golf from its early..... More
London: Jonathan Cape, 1943. 236p cloth, 1st edition printed in May 1943. Introduction by Bernard Darwin. Autobiography of Taylor's career. One of very few war time publication's. This is a must read book for anyone interested in the development of golf from its early days. Good clean contents, boards somewhat..... More
St. Andrews: N.P., 1948. 30p. wrappers. R. & A. report for 1948. This was seemingly the first of a planned annual report, very likley influenced by Bernard Darwin. Details of all committee's and their individual functions, a course report. Fascinating reading. Privately printed, never for sale and thus very scarce..... More
England: Grant books, 2022. 291p. cloth, dust jacket and slipcase. Limited edition of 350 copies only. A sure collectors item, Grant books owner Don Wilson has gone the extra mile with this well researched tribute to The Old Course. Fascinating analysis of the Old Course through the finest books produced..... More
London: Methuen & Co., 1931. 246p cloth. Following his co-authorship (text) with T Simpson on The Architectual Side of Golf (1929), Wethered issued this volume of essays to expand his views on the ideal relationships between player, club, style, shot, tempeament, course and architect as a basis for examining the..... More
London: Methuen & Co., 1931. 246p cloth. Following his co-authorship (text) with T Simpson on The Architectual Side of Golf (1929), Wethered issued this volume of essays to expand his views on the ideal relationships between player, club, style, shot, tempeament, course and architect as a basis for examining the..... More
London: Methuen & Co., 1931. 246p cloth. Following his co-authorship (text) with T Simpson on The Architectual Side of Golf (1929), Wethered issued this volume of essays to expand his views on the ideal relationships between player, club, style, shot, tempeament, course and architect as a basis for examining the..... More
London: Seeley, Service and Co. Limited, 1946. 251p, cloth. Highly underrated book, chapters by Horace G Hutchinson, Bernard Darwin, Roger and Joyce Wethered, a very nice chapter's on Architecture by Tim Simpson, with sketches as per The Architectural Side of Golf. D&J W10630. More