British Sports and Sportsmen: Polo & Coaching. Edited by The Sportsman - Circa 1923 - British Sports and Sportsmen, London - First Edition. Royal Edition, limited to 250 copies, of which this is number 221. A massive scarce and sumptuously bound work, one of only 250 copies of the ‘Royal Edition’, and enhanced by over 450 illustrations from photographs, paintings and sketches. The original subscriber for this copy was Edward Coleby Ransome O.B.E. (1864-1939) whose name has been blocked in gilt to the front board. Ransome, Cambridge educated, a crack shot, representing England in rifle shooting, was Mayor of Ipswich, Suffolk.

With contributions from Major-General Vaughan, T. Levins Moore, Gordon Withers, Major Hesseltine, Major-General Pitman, Keith Marsham, Lieut.-General Sir Michael Rimington, Lieut.-Colonel Nickalls, Osgold Cross, F.P.P. Rouse, “
Bronco” and “Rissala”.

The majority of this work covers Polo, describing the origins of the game its history in India, Ireland, and England, tactics and rules, as well as short biographical notes on players. The last part gives a history of coaching, which, with the introduction of railways, had become more of a sporting recreation usually involving marathon distances with a carriage (coach) and team of horses.
  Provenance: The original subscriber for this book was Edward Coleby Ransome O.B.E. (1864-1939) whose name has been blocked in gilt to the front board. Ransome, Cambridge educated, a crack shot, representing England in rifle shooting, was Mayor of Ipswich, Suffolk.

Reference: Laffaye,
The Polo Encyclopedia (2nd ed.) 295.

Folio (binding size 38.5x29cm), pp. [4] xiii [1] 424 [2]. Lower edge of final pages with damp stain not affecting text.
  Bound in publisher s full dark blue morocco, bevelled edges, spine with five raised bands lettered and tooled in gilt, triple fillet borders to covers, front cover blocked in gilt, gilt inner dentelles, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers.   Condition: Near fine, small dent to front board, minor rubbing to corners, lower edge of final pages with damp stain not affecting text.   Ref: 109317   Price: HK$ 5,500