“ALL THAT HAS BEEN SAID AND SUNG OF THE ROYAL GAME”: FIRST ATTEMPT AT A HISTORY OF EARLY GOLF, 1875

CLARK, Robert, editor. Golf: A Royal and Ancient Game. Edinburgh: R. & R. Clark, 1875. Quarto, original black- and gilt-stamped green cloth. $3000.

First trade edition of this important and scarce first documentary history of golf, “to which every writer on this phase of golf must acknowledge his indebtedness,” profusely illustrated with frontispiece, nine full-page plates, and numerous wood-engraved borders and head- and tail pieces.

"Widely regarded as one of the most significant, as well as best produced, early books on the history of golf, Clarks' work is a compilation of the earliest literature on the game. In assembling the book, Clark, a well-known Edinburgh printer, collected early press reports, biographical sketches, significant acts of Parliament, municipal records, diaries, and extracts from the minutes of the earliest golf clubs" (D&J C12760). "Clark's Golf is the first attempt at a history of the early game, based upon "extracts from an immense variety of ancient documents,… to which every writer on this phase of golf must acknowledge his indebtedness" (Browning, v). Includes an appendix of rules as played at the Royal and Ancient Club of St. Andrews. Preceded the same year by a signed limited edition of only 50 copies. Donovan & Murdoch 900. Small binder's ticket.

Interior clean, inner paper hinges expertly reinforced; original cloth in usually nice condition with minimal wear, gilt bright. A near-fine copy.