“UNIQUELY VALUABLE”: SPORTS AND PASTIMES OF THE PEOPLE OF ENGLAND, WITH 40 HAND-COLORED ENGRAVINGS

STRUTT, Joseph. Glig Gamena Angel-Deod, or the Sports and Pastimes of the People of England; Including the Rural and Domestic Recreations… from the Earliest Period to the Present Time. London: T. Bensley for White and Co., et al., 1810. Large quarto, contemporary full black straight-grain morocco gilt, elaborately gilt-decorated spine, raised bands, all edges gilt. $1750.

Second edition of this fascinating history of sports and recreation in England, illustrated with a frontispiece engraving and 39 engraved plates printed in sepia and finely hand-colored. A handsome copy in contemporary morocco-gilt.

Strutt, antiquarian and skilled engraver, culled many of his descriptions and images from medieval manuscripts and early printed books to produce his extremely popular history of sports. Included are archery, hawking, horse racing, gambling, dancing, and cock-fighting. “In turning to the British Museum for models for his engravings [Strutt] developed that combination of text and illustration which made his antiquarian works uniquely valuable” (Kunitz & Haycraft, 499). “Although the amount of Strutt’s work as an engraver is small… it is of exceptional merit and is still highly esteemed” (DNB). First published in 1801. Copies of this second edition are found with the plates hand-colored, as this copy, and uncolored. Lowndes, 2533. Sparrow, 5. Engraved armorial bookplate, owner pencil signature.

Text and plates clean and fine, binding handsome. A lovely copy in fine condition.