AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A STAGE-COACHMAN (3 VOLUMES, COMPLETE) SIGNED BY HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF BEAUFORT

Cross, Thomas

Published by Hurst Blackett Publishers, London, 1861

Each of the three volumes in rich, full calf, ruled in gilt, decorated spines, with contrasting brown and red volume and title labels. Midnight blue endpapers, top edges bright gilt, and pastedowns bordered with gilt inside dentelles. Some rubbing, minor chipping and evidence of past repairs to spine. NOTE: Signature is not bold. Each of the three volumes in rich, full calf, ruled in gilt, decorated spines, with contrasting brown and red volume and title labels. Midnight blue endpapers, top edges bright gilt, and pastedowns bordered with gilt inside dentelles. A series of delightful and highly informative vignettes on carrages, coaching, and driving. INSCRIPTION (faded): "To James Witherington from his sincere friend and well-wisher Beaufort, April 29, 1861.Cheltenham, Badminton. This is almost certainly His Grace, The (Eighth) Duke of Beaufort (Henry Charles Fitzroy Somerset, member of Parliament, soldier, and twice Master of The Horse. It is said that Beaufort, more than anyone, was responsible for promoting and popularizing the sport of coaching and driving, and especially its eventual export to the United States. Somerset, went on to conceive and launch the 29-volume "Badminton Library of Sports and Pastimes", issued between 1885, beginning with "Hunting", and concluding with "Motors and Motor-Driving" in 1902. Volume I bears the bookplate of Emily O'Neill (formerly Vanderbilt) Davies, a thrice-married-and-divorced socialite who took her own life at the Dead Horse Ranch near Las Vegas, New Mexico in 1935. Seller Inventory # 71057

Bibliographic Details

Title: AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A STAGE-COACHMAN (3 VOLUMES...
Publisher: Hurst Blackett Publishers, London
Publication Date: 1861
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good
Signed: Signed by Author(s)
Edition: First Edition.