An Encyclopedia of Rural Sports; or, A Complete Account, Historical, Practical, and Descriptive, of Hunting, Shooting, Fishing, Racing, and Other Field Sports and Athletic Amusements of the Present Day

Thick 8vo, xv + pp1240 with 600 engravings on wood by R. Branston from drawings by Alken, T. Landseer, Dickes etc. Hardcover no dust jacket. Contemporary half dark green leather over marbled boards with 5 raised bands and gilt titles to spine in very good condition with a little rubbing to top of spine and edges. Inside except for a little toning and the very odd spot or mark, all pages with full marbled edge in very good clean and bright condition. A very nice first edition that represented a significant broadening of Blaine's scholarly scope, compiling historical, practical, and descriptive accounts of hunting, shooting, fishing, racing, and other field sports, while integrating insights on animal management and health.This work departed from his prior focus on clinical veterinary texts, instead offering a comprehensive guide to rural pursuits that emphasized the role of animals in sporting contexts, including breeding, training, and preventive care for horses, dogs, and other working breeds.…