About this Item
Illustrated with four engraved plates and drawings within the text. 70 pages. Stated Third Edition. Bound in publisher's original green cloth-backed pictorial tan paper covered boards. Only the sixteenth book on golf in the English language, first published in 1881 by John Innes, Cupar, Scotland, this popular manual would have seven printings, the last being in 1907 (Antiquarian Golf # 200822; also, first edition #200819; also, fourth edition #200821.) Murdoch states in The Library of Golf: "This book, somewhat like The Golfer's Manual (1857) in style but considerably more comprehensive in content, includes instruction, history, outstanding golf feats and other golfiana, such as a reprint of a magazine article by Horace G. Hutchinson and a ballade by Andrew Lang. It also includes `Rules', the local rules for the Old Course at St. Andrews, a `Glossary of Technical Terms' and a list of `Clubs in Great Britain,' which included, at this early date, six in Ireland." The delightful cover illustration is complete, boards worn at extremities, upper corner of the paper covering the board is lacking 1" x 2" exposing the board, the first three pages are stained (apparently from a spill?) with the darkest staining to the upper corners 2" x 3". Not an Ex-Library copy. Inner front hinge reinforced with paper strip, small spot on lower title page through next two pages. "1884" penciled on lower title page (as this edition was undated.) Otherwise the rest of the contents is clean and unmarked, without foxing, soiling, notations, underlining, creases, tears, or other damages. This scarce third edition has no former owner name or bookplate. Interesting to note that no golf bibliography to dated including Donovan and Jerris' has noted the correct title of this edition which follows, not that the edition has been revised from earlier editions. Correct title for third edition: "The Golfer's Handbook: Including History of the Game; Special Uses of the Different Clubs; Hints to Beginners; The Feats of Champion Golfers; Rules of Royal and Ancient Golf Club; Golf Stories and Poems; Glossary of Technical Terms; Lists of Leading Clubs and Their Secretaries." Covers protected in mylar. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Seller Inventory # 201559
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