The Art of Golf (First edition)

Simpson, Sir W.G.

Published by David Douglas, Edinburgh, 1887

The Art of Golf by Sir W.G. Simpson. First edition in original printed boards. Publisher: David Douglas, Edinburgh, 1887. First Edition. 8vo. xii + 186 pages + one ad leaf. 20 plates, 10 diagrams, and numerous text illustrations, engraved title-page. Binding front with an engraving of the Winter Medal of the Honorable Company of Edinburgh. Rear of binding decorated with a pile of four golf balls. Binding is in fine condition. Contents clean and tight. Owner s name and location in ink on the half-title page. 6 x 8 7/8 inches. Page 48 contains 3 photos of Old Tom Morris swinging a club. In custom slip case. Nicest copy I ve ever seen. Protected by Mylar. Inventory #21-151. Price: $2500. Joseph Murdoch describes this book as "one of the classic books of golf literature", and it is the first book to use photographs to demonstrate the swing, and also the first to show actual players in action on links courses, including "Old" Tom Morris. Sir Walter Simpson was a 19th century Scottish philosopher and a Captain of The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. He was one of the first people to define what was meant by a golf "links": "The grounds on which golf is played are called links, being the barren sandy soil from which the sea has retired in recent geological times. In their natural state links are covered with long, rank bent grass and gorse. Links are too barren for cultivation: but sheep, rabbits, geese and professionals pick up a precarious livelihood on them.". Seller Inventory # 21-151

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Art of Golf (First edition)
Publisher: David Douglas, Edinburgh
Publication Date: 1887
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Fine
Edition: 1st Edition.