Lot 238: STRUTT, JOSEPH. 1749-1802. The Sports and Pastimes of the People of England; including the Rural and Domestic Recreations, May Games, Mummeries, Shows, Processions, Pageants, and Pompous Spectacles from the Earliest Period to the Present Time.

The Sports and Pastimes of the People of England; including the Rural and Domestic Recreations, May Games, Mummeries, Shows, Processions, Pageants, and Pompous Spectacles from the Earliest Period to the Present Time. London: Hunt and Clarke, [1828]-30.
10 parts. 8vo (228 x 140 mm). Edited by William Hone. Text illustrations. Advertisements or publisher's notes on all wrappers. Original grey or buff-colored wrappers. Custom silk chemise and full morocco slipcase. Part 1 with some marginal tape repair to wrapper and first few leaves, general wear to backstrips, otherwise very fresh.
Exhibited: Grolier Club, 'Essential Parts,' 1996, p 30.

THE VERY RARE MONTHLY PARTS ISSUE, IN ORIGINAL MONTHLY PARTS, COPIOUSLY ILLUSTRATED with "140 wood-engravings selected from ancient and curious paintings". This is Hone's revised edition of Strutt's immensely popular and influential work, emblematic of the 19th century vogue for medieval culture. "Where is the countryman that will shun discourse on Wrestling or Single-Stick, Quarter-Staff or Cricket? Who that has witnessed or read of Village Merriments and Holiday-keepings, would not wish better acquaintance with Wake and Wassail?" (Hone's preface on back wrapper of part 1).