Sporting Repository, The

"First and only edition of a rare and valuable magazine" (Schwerdt) ALKEN, Henry [and] BARENGER, James, illustrators. The Sporting Repository, containing Horse-Racing, Hunting, Coursing, Shooting, Archery, Trotting and Tandem Matches, Cocking, Pedestrianism [and] Pugilism. anecdotes on sporting subjects, interspersed with essays, tales, and a great variety of miscellaneous articles. London: Printed by W. Lewis. for Thomas McLean, 15 January-15 June 1822. First and only edition. Octavo (9 1/8 x 5 3/4 inches; 233 x 146 mm.). viii, [1]-80; [81]-176; [177]-268; [269]-356; [357]-448; [449]-540 pp. Hand-colored aquatint frontispiece and eighteen hand-colored aquatint plates after H. Alken and J. Barenger engraved by G. and T. Hunt. All plates with tissue guards. Handsomely bound by Rivière & Son ca. 1920. Full red morocco, covers decoratively ruled in gilt, spine with five raised bands elaborately tooled and lettered in gilt, gilt board edges & turn-ins, dark green silk liners and endleaves, all edges gilt. A spectacular example, the hand-colored plates bright and fresh. Loosely inserted at end are the original front and rear wrappers for part II "15th of February, 1822". This publication stands out for its vivid illustrations, some of the finest sporting aquatints of the period, and for its documentation of early 19th-century British sporting culture. Though it was planned as a continuing series, only six monthly parts were published, making complete sets rare. Published in six monthly parts from January to June this is the "First and only edition of a rare and valuable magazine." (Schwerdt). The Sporting Repository contains anecdotes and illustrations on many sporting subjects including 'Horse Racing, Hunting, Coursing, Shooting, Archery, Trotting and Tandem Matches, Cocking, Pedestrianism and Pugilism'. This 'rare and valuable magazine' is an unashamed celebration of popular sports and a mine of interesting information. Mellon/Podeschi A13. Schwerdt II, p. 212. Tooley 467. …