The Badminton Library.

SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

Published by London: Longman, Green, and Co., 1891-1902

About this Item

A smartly presented set of the full series, including the additional Motors and Motor Driving volume. Conceived as the first comprehensive encyclopaedia of pastimes enjoyed by the modern British gentleman and gentlewoman, the highly successful Badminton Library took its name from the estate of the Duke of Beaufort, who edited the series. Various other peers contributed volumes, such as Lord Walsingham, who authored Shooting, and the Earl of Suffolk, who wrote Racing and Steeplechasing. The first volume, Hunting (1885), was dedicated to the Prince of Wales. These upper-class credentials were integral to the original conception of the series, but it was assumed that the Duke of Beaufort's contribution "would be purely nominal" (Campbell, p. 128). As it was, the 8th Duke was an enthusiastic and highly active participant in the project. Barry Campbell, The Badminton Tradition, 1978. 30 vols, octavo (180 x 130 mm). Copiously illustrated with plates, some coloured, illustrations in text. Contemporary red crushed morocco, spines lettered in gilt with raised bands, compartments tooled with gilt sporting motifs, Turkish over Spanish moiré pattern marbled sides and endpapers, top edges gilt. Edges only miminally rubbed, joints of Racing and Steeplechasing cracked with inner hinges reinforced, contents foxed. A very good set.

Seller Inventory # 181602

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Badminton Library.
• Publisher: London: Longman, Green, and Co., 1891-1902