Golf - The Badminton Library of Sports and Pastimes. With contributions by Lord Wellwood, Sir Walter Simpson, Bart., Right Hon. A. J. Balfour M.P., Andrew Lang, H.F.C. Everard and others. -
Horace G. Hutchinson (Duke of Beaufort, Editor), Assisted by Alfred E.T. Watson
1890 - Longmans, London - First Edition
‘One of the great books of the sport and deserves an honoured spot in every golf library.’ - Joseph Murdoch, The Library of Golf.
A finely bound first edition. Covering the history of golf, celebrated golfers and celebrated links, styles, etiquette, giving odds, and, I assume, relevant for the day - ‘hints to cricketers who are taking up golf’. Illustrated by Thomas Hodge and Harry Furniss with 22 plates, several woodcuts in text, and many further illustrations.
Hutchinson, one of the best sports writers and editors of his era, was also an accomplished golfer, captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, winner of the first two official British Amateur Championships in 1886 and 1887, and known for his comment that ‘if profanity had an influence on the flight of the ball, the game of golf would be played far better than it is.’ ‘Horace was so noteworthy a figure as a pioneer of golf that people are apt to forget his achievements as a player. Gifted with a style dashingly and flamboyant rather than orthodox, which he innocently preached in his books, possibly to the detriment of his disciples, he was the master of every kind of difficult shot. He could sometimes miss the easy ones, but there was scarcely any place so bad but that his ingenuity could find a way out, and he could consummate a heart-breaking recovery by a deadly putt. From early life, he was handicapped by bad health, but well and in the mood, he was one of the great golfers.’ - Bernard Darwin, British Golf, 1954.
‘Covers the game more thoroughly than any previous effort and remains, even today, one of the most interesting and comprehensive contributions.’
References: Murdoch, The Library of Golf 388. Donovan & Murdoch, The Game of Golf and The Printed Word 2990.
Octavo (book size 19.1x14.2cm) pp. [2] xiv 463 [3]. Finely bound in recent three-quarters green morocco with gilt golfing motifs and twin burgundy title labels lettered in gilt to spine, top edge gilt. Condition: Fine in fine binding. Ref: 112070 Price: HK$ 5,500
A finely bound first edition. Covering the history of golf, celebrated golfers and celebrated links, styles, etiquette, giving odds, and, I assume, relevant for the day - ‘hints to cricketers who are taking up golf’. Illustrated by Thomas Hodge and Harry Furniss with 22 plates, several woodcuts in text, and many further illustrations.
Hutchinson, one of the best sports writers and editors of his era, was also an accomplished golfer, captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, winner of the first two official British Amateur Championships in 1886 and 1887, and known for his comment that ‘if profanity had an influence on the flight of the ball, the game of golf would be played far better than it is.’ ‘Horace was so noteworthy a figure as a pioneer of golf that people are apt to forget his achievements as a player. Gifted with a style dashingly and flamboyant rather than orthodox, which he innocently preached in his books, possibly to the detriment of his disciples, he was the master of every kind of difficult shot. He could sometimes miss the easy ones, but there was scarcely any place so bad but that his ingenuity could find a way out, and he could consummate a heart-breaking recovery by a deadly putt. From early life, he was handicapped by bad health, but well and in the mood, he was one of the great golfers.’ - Bernard Darwin, British Golf, 1954.
‘Covers the game more thoroughly than any previous effort and remains, even today, one of the most interesting and comprehensive contributions.’
References: Murdoch, The Library of Golf 388. Donovan & Murdoch, The Game of Golf and The Printed Word 2990.
Octavo (book size 19.1x14.2cm) pp. [2] xiv 463 [3]. Finely bound in recent three-quarters green morocco with gilt golfing motifs and twin burgundy title labels lettered in gilt to spine, top edge gilt. Condition: Fine in fine binding. Ref: 112070 Price: HK$ 5,500