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London : Henry Colburn & Richard Bentley, 1831. First edition. “The forthcoming satirical novel under this title, is said to exhibit a picture of the life of a young man of fashion, and to develop, in the most spirited manner, the mysteries and chicaneries of the Turf. But these contribute only a small portion of its attractions. The gambling-table at home and abroad – love – debt – opera-dancers – together with the multifarious scenes which present themselves to the young nobleman in his gay career, are unfolded to the view. The name of the author we have heard whispered, but for the present, we forbear to mention it” (Dublin Evening Post, 29th July 1830). True to the spirit of the novel, “which has occasioned so great a sensation in gay circles”, wagers were laid on whether the author’s name would be discovered within a set period – the bets settled at Tattersall’s at the end of April 1831 in favour of those who had bet against it (Morning Post, 6th May 1831). The “Morning Chronicle” attributed it to a “well known sporting baronet”, but the publisher Richard Bentley’s papers note that it was written by “a son of Sir Robert Twisden”, with some additions by Mr Ollier. Ollier is simple enough – Charles Ollier (1788-1859), former publisher of Keats and Shelley, now working as Richard Bentley’s literary adviser. Twisden is a different matter, as no Sir Robert Twisden can be found: I think Sir Roger Twisden is intended – and grandson, not son. Thomas Twisden Hodges (1809-1865), sporting gentleman, later Member of Parliament, cricketer, yachtsman, and crucially at this time a racehorse owner, running a horse aptly named “Naughty Tommy” in various races in the very year of the novel’s publication, seems to have all the right credentials for being the author of this exposé (of prize-fighting as well as racing) – “Lords and blacklegs, ladies and demireps, are mingled together in its pages, – in some portraits we can trace a resemblance, striking, if not flattering, to individuals who have been known, and are now not altogether forgotten” (New Monthly Magazine).
Two volumes. Foolscap 8vo (173 x 105mm). [iv],(240); [iv],(228),[iv]pp. Bound in a smart twentieth-century full blue crushed morocco, banded and gilt, by Sangorski & Sutcliffe; marbled endpapers; text lightly tanned and faintly spotted in places in vol.ii, but still overall a very good set of a scarce and interesting publication.

SOLD

London : Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1934. First edition. A complete guide by hunting and racing editor of “The Field” – attractively illustrated by Lionel Edwards (1878-1966).
Post 4to (28cm). xvi,140pp. Ten plates. Original scarlet cloth gilt; top edge red; mild spotting of edges, but a very good copy in the original Edwards dust-jacket – lightly used and slightly chipped at extremities.

SOLD

London : Michael Joseph, (1986). First edition. Biography of the Long Fellow.
Medium 8vo (25cm). [2],(xii),338pp. Original black boards, blocked and lettered in silver; very good in the dust-jacket – also very good.

£20

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London : Sportsman’s Press, (1990). First edition. Combines a history of racing with material on publishers and engravers, details of engraving methods, and a full-scale artist catalogue of racing prints.
Demy 4to (29cm). 200pp. Illustrations throughout, many in colour. Original boards; lightly bruised at two corners, but otherwise a very good copy in the dust-jacket.

SOLD