Details
MARSHALL, Julian. The Annals of Tennis, London: "The Field" Office, 1878, 4°, FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY, front free endpaper inscribed, "Courtenay Boyle from his friend the Author, June 9/78," title printed in red and black, wood-engraved frontispiece and 26 plates (some very light marginal browning), original green cloth decorated in gilt and blind, upper cover with an interlacing geometric design incorporating two crossed tennis rackets and three balls (extremities rubbed, head and foot of spine frayed), t.e.g.
At once a history and a handbook, The Annals was the most important work on Real Tennis to be published in the 19th century. As Noel and Clark state (History of Tennis p. 293) copies found their way into "the dedans of most tennis courts," and perhaps for that reason are often worn. Julian Marshall was tennis correspondent to The Field, and some chapters in his book first appeared in the magazine in 1876 and 1877.
At once a history and a handbook, The Annals was the most important work on Real Tennis to be published in the 19th century. As Noel and Clark state (History of Tennis p. 293) copies found their way into "the dedans of most tennis courts," and perhaps for that reason are often worn. Julian Marshall was tennis correspondent to The Field, and some chapters in his book first appeared in the magazine in 1876 and 1877.
Provenance
Courtney Edmund Boyle, armorial bookplate.