Lot 669: HAWKER, Peter (1786-1853). Number I[-VI] of the Sportsman's Pocket

HAWKER, Peter (1786-1853). Number I[-VI] of the Sportsman's Pocket Companion. Croydon: for the author by T. Harding [no. I] and Canterbury: for the author by W. Bristow [nos. II-VI], 1801.

8° (187 x 115mm), engraved frontispiece and 13 etched plates after Hawker, some also engraved by him, including one signed, woodcut culs-de-lampe. Contemporay speckled calf, morocco spine label (spine and corners rubbed, joints cracked). Provenance: Peter Hawker (ownership inscription and signed 4-line note dated 1852 stating: 'The only copy that exists of my first & poor attempt at book-making') -- Ralph Payne Gallwey (ownership signature dated Thirklely Park, October 1893, and inscription: 'Given me by the grandson (Mr. Peter Hawker) of the famous colonel Peter Hawker whose Diary I published this year', signed with initials, and with the post-script: 'This was written when the author was just 16') - C.F.G.R. Schwerdt (bookplate; his sale, 10 July 1939, lot 1507).

THE AUTHOR'S COPY, AND SUBSEQUENTLY SCHWERDT'S COPY, OF HIS UNOBTAINABLE FIRST BOOK. Further inscriptions on the title read: 'The plates all drawn and some engraved by Master Peter Hawker 1800' and '(when 15 years of age): printed for a charity to a poor bookseller but not regularly published'. No further edition appeared until it was reprinted in 1980 with an introduction by John Marchington. Hawker, who was educated at Eton, went on to serve in the 14th light dragoons in the Peninsular war, retiring from active service in 1813 after being wounded at Talavera, but eventually rising to the rank of Lt.-Col. in the North Hampshire militia. His publications included Journal of a Regimental Officer during the Recent Campaigns in Spain and Portugal (1810) and Instructions to Young Sportsmen (1814). The latter had reached nine editions before his death, and became one of the best known 19th century sporting books. His diary, edited by Payne-Gallwey, was published in 1893. Schwerdt IV, p.44-5; not in Copac.

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