(1836-3rd) The Noble Game of Billiards: Wherein are Exhibited Extraordinary & Surprising Strokes Which Have Excited the Admiration of Most of the Sovereigns of Europe

Third edition. 8vo (11 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches). [2], 7, [1] pp. with hand-colored engraved diagrammatic plates, engraved title page. Older rebind in period-style boards. Text block complete with all plates. An attractive copy of this scarce edition. A scarce third edition of this landmark work on billiards by the inventor of the leather cue tip. François Mingaud (1771-1847), a French infantry captain imprisoned at Bicêtre in 1807, revolutionized the sport by affixing a leather tip to the cue—enabling spin, draw shots, and massé for the first time. This work, translated and published by London billiard table manufacturer John Thurston, illustrates remarkable strokes with hand-colored plates. This 1836 edition is the final Thurston-published edition of this influential work. All 19th-century Thurston editions (1830, 1831, 1833, 1836) are now scarce and highly sought by collectors of sporting books and billiards history. References: Abbey, Life 391. Condition: Good+. Older rebind with new boards; text block complete; interior clean with only minor age-toning; a solid, usable copy of this scarce work. Seller Notes: I am happy to answer any questions, provide additional pictures, and entertain reasonable offers. Please don't hesitate to contact me.…