Presented to a relative of the dedicatee
RAWSTORNE, Lawrence. Gamonia: or, The Art of Preserving Game; and an Improved Method of Making Plantations and Covers, Explained and Illustrated. London: Rudolph Ackermann, Eclipse Sporting Gallery. 1837.
8vo. Original dark green morocco with elaborate gilt roll-tool borders to sides, titled in gilt on spine, sometime rebacked preserving original spine, all edges gilt; pp. 208, 15 hand-coloured aquatint plates after J.T. Rawlins of hunting and shooting scenes, finished with gum arabic; occasional browning mainly to text leaves, but very good, errata slip present.
First edition, inscribed by the author.
Though it is a worthy and entertaining book on game, Gamonia is mainly prized as an example of the pinnacle of aquatinting as practised by Rudolph Ackermann, the acknowledged master of the field. The plates depict shooting scenes set against the picturesque landscapes of the countryside around Preston, giving an insight into both hunting and the social scene of the time. They make this lavish volume, described by Schwerdt as "an esteemed book" with "unusually attractive plates", an essential addition to any hunting and shooting library.
Provenance: presentation copy inscribed "From the author, 1837" to prelim, with bookplate to front pastedown of Admiral Sir Phipps Hornby (1785-1867), a seasoned naval officer who had seen action in the Napoleonic Wars,. Not only was Sir Phipps a Lancashire man, like Rawstorne, he was also a relation by marriage of the Prime Minister the Earl of Derby, to whom this book was dedicated. The patronage of Derby was important to both author and admiral; Sir Phipps served as Second Naval Lord in Derby's last government. Front pastedown also with the bookplate of Wolfgang Metzner (1909-92), publisher.
Schwerdt Ii p. 127; Abbey Life 392; Tooley 393.
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