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xii, [2], 96 pp. Illustrated with a lithographed frontispiece portrait of Allan Robertson, with tissue-guard. 16.1x10.2 cm. (6¼x4"), original flexible red blindstamped cloth titled and decorated in gilt on front cover, all edges gilt, custom cloth slipcase. First Edition.

The first edition of the first book of prose devoted entirely to the game of golf, and the first book of golf instruction, quite rare, especially so in the original cloth. Donovan & Jerris note that "H.B. Farnie, a native of Burntisland who studied at the University of St. Andrews, was the author of several guide books, the editor of a Fifeshire newspaper, and later a journalist in London; he died in Paris in 1889. In 1857 he authored the first book of golf instruction, published under the pseudonym 'A Keen Hand.' The subjects treated in this seminal treatise also include history, equipment, golfing terms, rules, and a list of Scottish courses. Of additional note is the portrait of Allan Robertson that appears opposite the title-page..." With the bookplate of American golf book collector, Robert John Smith M.D. on front pastedown. Donovan & Murdoch 1140; Murdoch 415; Donovan & Jerris F2500.