Very Rare Book

[Jeff]

Just got my hands on a very old and fairly rare book.

Badminton Library Billiard's Edition

It's over a hundred years old and contains many old pictures and writings from the turn of the century.

 

[Jack Madden]

Is the etching on the front a billiard table? Why is it called "The Badminton Library" - assume it about billiards or did I miss something.

Jack
www.johnmaddencues.com

 

[Jeff]

Is the etching on the front a billiard table? Why is it called "The Badminton Library" - assume it about billiards or did I miss something.

Jack
www.johnmaddencues.com

This book is just one in a series. They even have a guide you can buy for collectors on each book in the series, prices, etc.

"The Badminton Library of Sports and Pastimes was published by Longmans, Green, London between 1885 and 1920. The original series was made up of 28 titles, published through 1896. A 29th volume was added in 1902 when the publisher deemed Motors and Motor-Driving to be worthy of inclusion."

First editions are very rare and hard to find. Condition is key as in anything else.

These are the titles:

1. Hunting (1885);2. Fishing: Pike and Coarse Fish (1885); 3. Fishing: Salmon and Trout; 4. Racing and Steeple-Chasing (1886); 5. Shooting: Vol 1 Field and Covert (1886); 6. Shooting: Vol 2 Moor and Marsh (1886); 7. Cycling (1887); 8. Athletics and Foot Ball (1887); 9. Boating (1888); 10. Cricket (1888); 11. Driving (1889); 12. Fencing, Boxing, and Wrestling (1889); 13. Golf (1890); 14. Tennis, Lawn Tennis, Rackets, and Fives (1890); 15. Riding and Polo (1891); 16. Skating and Figure Skating (1892); 17. Coursing and Falconry (1892); 18. Mountaineering (1892); 19. Swimming (1893); 20. Archery (1894); 21. Big Game Shooting I (1894); 22. Big Game Shooting II (1894); 23. Yachting Volume 1 (1894); 24. Yachting Volume 2 (1894); 25. Sea Fishing (1895); 26. Dancing (1895); 27. Billiards (1896); 28. The Poetry of Sport (1896); and 29. Motors and Motor-Driving (1902).

 

[Jack Madden]

Thank you for the information sounds really interesting - billiards and golf would be my thing - some things don't change. My wife would love these - but she is into "old" things - me included I hope.
Jack
www.johnmaddencues.com

 

[Jeff]

Here is a picture of the actual book I am buying. From the pictures I have seen it is in very good condition. I'll know more when I get it in my hands.