"British Golf Links" by Horace Hutchinson, First Edition, Circa 1897

Hutchinson, Horace. British Golf Links. London: J.S. Virtue, 1897. First trade edition. Illustrated. Folio. Presented in original green boards, embossed with black and gilt illustrations and titles, and a new, archival cloth slipcase with inlay. 

Presented is the first trade edition of British Golf Links by Horace Hutchinson. The book was published in London by J.S. Virtue in 1897.  This first trade edition is an illustrated survey of fifty-four of the finest British and French golf clubs of the 19th century.

The book offers richly illustrated chapters on each of the major links courses, with over 500 photographs and illustrations of the more challenging holes, designs, and famed players. Included are detailed summaries and playing characteristics of famed courses like St. George's, Royal Portrush, Lytham and St. Anne's, Prestwick, and Troon. This volume is considered by historians to be a masterpiece of early golf literature.

Author Horace Hutchinson was an accomplished golfer, winning the first two British Amateur Championships in 1886 and 1887 and playing in one of the first exhibition rounds in America. “Reading any of his books is enjoyable for it is obvious that here was a man who knew what he wanted to say, was not afraid to say it and then said it with some wit, purpose and intelligence”(Murdoch 387). “Certainly no account of the literature of this era would be complete without acknowledging [Hutchinson’s] contributions”(Donovan & Murdoch, 13). 

CONDITION:

Good condition overall. Folio. Hardcover book, in original green cloth boards. Embossed with black and gilt illustrations and titles to front board and spine. Lavishly illustrated with photographs and black and white illustrations. Pages have some time and age toning but overall in good condition. Light bumping, surface scuffs to the boards and spine.

Presented in a new, custom cloth slipcase that features an inlay of the famous Old Course hazard, Hell Bunker, on the front.

Dimensions: 13" H x 10" W x 1 1/4" D (with slipcase 13 1/2" H x 10 3/8" W x 1 1/2" D).