Rowing with The New Rowing magazine -

1950 to 1955 - Rowing Publications / C. E. Fisher, Kingston-Upon-Thames / London - First Editions
A run of 60 of this most influential rowing magazine, consisting of:-
Rowing’ Magazine No. 2 (January 1950) to No. 45 (Autumn 1952). 44 magazines
The New Rowing’ Magazine No. 1. (March 1953) to No. 7, plus Nos. 9, 12-13, 16-18, 21-23 (January 1955). 16 magazines.

Illustrated throughout with black and white photographs and sketches, wonderful anecdotes, regatta reports, international as well as national rowing, articles on coaching, styles, the history of rowing, famous rowers and teams, keeping fit, the education of a coxswain, articulate letters from readers, period rowing related advertisements, etc. etc.
 
More details

Price HK$ 4,500



The Arts of Rowing and Training, with an appendix containing the laws of boat-racing, etc., by Argonaut . - Brickwood Argonaut

1866 - Horace Cox, 346 - First Edition
A near fine and rare first edition of ‘in all probability the earliest comprehensive work on the technique of rowing’. It was written to supply “the want of a concise, yet withal comprehensive, manual on boat-racing”. Only one previous writer, says the preface, had “been found willing to bequeath to his successors the results of his observation and the fruits of his experience; and even he, if I am not mistaken, excelled rather as a coxswain than as an oarsman”. The reference is probably to A. T. Shadwell.

The contents, which “
embody the precepts which have of late contributed to the repeated successes of the Oxford University crew”, are arranged in 2 parts. Part I, “Rowing”, includes chapters on boats and their fittings, the art of rowing, coaching, steering, sculling, examples of form and style, and the conduct of regattas. The chapters on coaching deplore the contemporary sacrifice of form to pace. The chapter on boats gives an interesting account of the development of outrigged boats and a table of dimensions and prices.

In Part II, “Training”, running before breakfast is condemned, meat should be “just done to a turn, as it is called, not blue or half raw”, and the author expresses his opinion that a limited amount of smoking should be permitted except in exceptional cases.’ No raw vegetables or green tea, but make sure to have a beer with lunch (p. 133-134).
 
More details

Price HK$ 11,000



Boat Racing: or The Arts of Rowing and Training - Edwin Dampier Brickwood (Amateur Ex-Champion of The Thames)

1876 - Horace Cox, 346 Strand - New Edition
Fine example of the rare second edition of ‘the earliest comprehensive work on the technique of rowing’ which adds the wonderful albumen photograph of an elegantly calm Henley and has been expanded with alterations bringing it up to date with the addition of historical matter. The most important being the invention and acceptance of the sliding seat between the first edition of 1866 and this second edition of 1876.

Brickwood is insistent on a good balance of work, diet, sleep and cleanliness. Breakfast of mutton chops or rump steaks, to which can be added some cold chicken or hot grilled fowl, an egg or two, lettuce or watercress, brown bread, and two cups of tea, lunch includes a slice or two of bread and butter and a half a pint of good sound ale, perhaps with a chop, dinner, being the main meal of the day is too large to list here, but should include a pint and a half of sound beer in the summer months, with a couple of glasses of claret, sherry, or port wine to finish it all off with. A glass of warm port wine or cup of tea without milk or sugar but with a teaspoonful of brandy is recommended between heats on race day....
 
More details

Price HK$ 10,000



1889 - J. W. Arrowsmith, Bristol - First Edition, first Issue with 'Quay Street' on title page, second state.
First edition, in a fancy binding, of one of the funniest English books ever written, and if you like to play on the water, should be required reading. In the words of Jerome K. Jerome ‘other books may excel this in depth of thought and knowledge of human nature: other books may rival it in originality and size; but, for hopeless and incurable veracity, nothing yet discovered can surpass it.’

Brilliantly illustrated throughout with small sketches and full page plates by A. Frederics.

The ultimate late-Victorian satire of the Great British Holiday, involving an ill-conceived jaunt along the Thames and a host of fabulously English characters including the relentlessly Pan-like canine companion Montmorency. Adapted in many forms, and notably voiced as an audiobook by Hugh Laurie, it develops an idyllically inept vision of England still familiar today.
 
More details

Price HK$ 5,000



Practical Boat Building for Amateurs - Adrian Neison C.E.

1878 - &ldquo, London - First Edition
A scarce little work in first edition, which became very popular and was later expanded and edited by Dixon Kemp. One of the earliest books to provide the designs and details of MacGregor’s ‘Rob Roy’ canoe.

As described in the title, chapters cover -
Designing; Tools and Materials; Punts; Skiffs; The Rob Roy Canoe; The Sailing Boat; and Canoes - Canadian Bateaux–Canvas Canoe–Shooting Punt.

Illustrated throughout with vignettes, plans and diagrams.
 
More details

Price HK$ 2,000