The Badminton Library of sports and Pastimes, including the important Golf volume, plus many more sports... (from the Badminton Library series)
London: Longmans, Green and Co. Ltd, 1885. large paper deluxe edition: large octavo, a limited edition of only two hundred and fifty copies, bound in half blue Morocco.
Rare and Complete set of the much preferred Large paper editions.
All undamaged original spines, excellent condition, various numbereds, all of the 250 copy large paper deluxe series. Excellent in original bindings.
The Badminton Library issued 29 volumes on 25 different sports, for use of the general public who knew little or nothing about sports.
The series covered all sports and pastimes, first published in 1885 with the Hunting volume through to 1902 Motors and Motor-Driving.
Large paper set of the full series, including the additional Motors and Motor Driving volume. Conceived as the first comprehensive encyclopaedia of pastimes enjoyed by the modern British gentleman and gentlewoman, the highly successful Badminton Library took its name from the estate of the Duke of Beaufort, who edited the series. Various other peers contributed volumes, such as Lord Walsingham, who authored Shooting, and the Earl of Suffolk, who wrote Racing and Steeplechasing. The first volume, Hunting (1885), was dedicated to the Prince of Wales. These upper-class credentials were integral to the original conception of the series, but it was assumed that the Duke of Beaufort's contribution "would be purely nominal" (Campbell, p. 128). As it was, the 8th Duke was an enthusiastic and highly active participant in the project. Barry Campbell,
Part of the "Badminton Library of Sports and Pastimes" set.
The Golf volume.
No. 227 of 250 Large Paper copies. First Edition. The "Large Paper" edition, which is becoming increasingly scarce. Hutchinson was a wise choice by the editor to author the volume on golf, as he was already becoming one of the most prolific and knowledgeable golf writers in history. xvi, 495 pp. Contributions by Lord Wellwood, Sir Walter Simpson, A.J. Balfour, Andrew Lang, H.S.C. Everard, etc. Illustrated with numerous drawings by Thomas Hodge and Harry Furniss, including frontispiece with tissue-guard. 9½x7½, original ½ blue morocco & gilt-stamped orange cloth, gilt-lettered spine, black endpapers, untrimmed edges, top edge gilt.
Murdoch 388; D&M 2970; D&J H28540.
The founder of the Library, the Duke of Beaufort, acted as its overseeing editor, assisted by Alfred E. T. Watson,[ and chose authors who were authorities in their fields. Explaining his purpose, the Duke said:[1]
...there is no modern encyclopaedia to which the inexperienced man, who seeks guidance in the practice of various British sports and pastimes, can turn for information" Item #11232
Price: £4,750.00