The Golfer's Handbook.
Cupar, Scotland: John Innes, 1881. 83, [1] + [6] ad pp. Illustrated with 4 engraved plates; plus figure drawings within text. 7x4¾, publisher's green cloth-backed pictorial printed gray paper over boards. First Edition. The first golf book to be successful in sales. Forgan founded a famous club-making firm in St. Andrews and his old shop is still open as a museum for visitors. Murdoch states: "This book, somewhat like The Golfer's Manual (1857) in style but considerably more comprehensive in content, includes instruction, history, outstanding golf feats and other golfiana, such as a reprint of a magazine article by Horace G. Hutchinson and a ballade by Andrew Lang. It also includes `Rules', the local rules for the Old Course at St. Andrews, a `Glossary of Technical Terms' and a list of `Clubs in Great Britain,' which included, at this early date, six in Ireland." First published in 1881 by John Innes, Cupar, Scotland, the book went into numerous re-printings. This is the rare 1st edition, in excellent condition. Ex- Edinburgh public library, with some small library stamps, and a bookplate on inner board, not detracting from this exceptional title. Item #5006
Price: £7,503.00