![ALKEN, Henry. The Qualification ... dedicated, without permission, to all fox-hunters. London: R. Ackermann, 1 August 1829 [Whatman 1829 papermark]. Oblong 4° (258 x 337mm). 6 hand-coloured etched plates, letterpress title and 7ll. text partly in verse. (Light spotting in sky area of plate 3, a few tiny spots elsewhere, some light dust-soiling and crinkling at margins.) Full green morocco for the Lakeside Press, Chicago, blind rules, spine and front cover gilt lettered and dated, cloth slipcase. Provenance: Joel Spitz item no. 458 (bookplate and stamp at rear).](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2012/CSK/2012_CSK_04354_0084_000(alken_henry_the_qualification_dedicated_without_permission_to_all_fox-121347).jpg?w=1)
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ALKEN, Henry. The Qualification ... dedicated, without permission, to all fox-hunters. London: R. Ackermann, 1 August 1829 [Whatman 1829 papermark]. Oblong 4° (258 x 337mm). 6 hand-coloured etched plates, letterpress title and 7ll. text partly in verse. (Light spotting in sky area of plate 3, a few tiny spots elsewhere, some light dust-soiling and crinkling at margins.) Full green morocco for the Lakeside Press, Chicago, blind rules, spine and front cover gilt lettered and dated, cloth slipcase. Provenance: Joel Spitz item no. 458 (bookplate and stamp at rear).
FIRST ISSUE OF 'ONE OF THE FINEST OF ALKEN'S SETS', says Schwerdt, 'produced during the great period of the Leicestershire hunts, of which the plates are well drawn and coloured'. Sparrow considers that the work 'illustrates very well the contrast between great speed and miniaturist precision'. Each plate carries the running title 'Hunting Qualifications' at head, pointedly illustrating the differences between good and and riding. No record of a complete set selling in Americana Exchange since 1963. Dixon 92 (later issue): 'exceedingly rare'; Mellon/Snelgrove 32; Schwerdt I, p. 16 & plt. 10; Siltzer p. 72 (dating the set 1828); Sparrow p. 18; Tooley 33; Wilder p. 122, plate 49: 'one of Alken's most charming sets'.
FIRST ISSUE OF 'ONE OF THE FINEST OF ALKEN'S SETS', says Schwerdt, 'produced during the great period of the Leicestershire hunts, of which the plates are well drawn and coloured'. Sparrow considers that the work 'illustrates very well the contrast between great speed and miniaturist precision'. Each plate carries the running title 'Hunting Qualifications' at head, pointedly illustrating the differences between good and and riding. No record of a complete set selling in Americana Exchange since 1963. Dixon 92 (later issue): 'exceedingly rare'; Mellon/Snelgrove 32; Schwerdt I, p. 16 & plt. 10; Siltzer p. 72 (dating the set 1828); Sparrow p. 18; Tooley 33; Wilder p. 122, plate 49: 'one of Alken's most charming sets'.