Vols. I & II (of eventually 3, as usual). [2], 298, [2]; [2], 288, vii, [i], 289-292, [1] pp. 48 full-page plates, most lithographed but a few engraved in copper, all but one of them hand-colored; copper-engraved frontispieces and title-pages. (4to) 28.5x23 cm (11¼x9"), period half polished calf and marbled boards, gilt ruled spine decorated in gilt with tan morocco spine labels with gilt titles, blue marbled endpapers. First Edition.
First edition of the first American sporting book with colored plates. Originally issued in monthly parts, then bound in book form. The third volume, of which only parts 1-4 were produced, is generally lacking from most sets, and in fact is called by Bennett "perhaps the most difficult of all American sport volumes to find." He also remarks that "Artistically, Vol. I is much the most important, for it contains the original plates by Thos. Doughty, famous painter and founding-father of the Hudson River School." Bennett p.35; Gee, Early Am., pp.48-49; Gee, Sportsman's Lib., p.132; Henderson, Early Am. Sport, pp. 37-42; Howes D433; Reese 12.
Condition:
Wear and rubbing to leather and boards; light foxing slightly affecting some plates, some darkening to text block and toning to pages, some dampstaining to Vol. 1 not affecting plates, occasional corner tear to pages, all plates present; very good.