The Compleat Sportsman. In Three Parts...
Giles Jacob's Pioneering 1718 Masterwork on Hunting, Angling, and the Forest Laws Jacob, Giles [1686-1744]. The Compleat Sportsman. In Three Parts. Part I. Containing the nature and various kinds of game, under their several Denominations, with the best Methods of taking the same, by Shooting, Hunting, Dogs, Nets, and otherwise; and the Laws and Statutes made for Preservation of the Game, with Warrants to impower Game-Keepers, &c. Part II. Of the best Situations and Methods of erecting and Management of Parks, Warrens, &c. Of Hunting the Buck, Doe, &c. And a concise Abridgment of the Forest-Laws, and of all the Laws and Statutes relating to Deer: Methodically interspersed with Precedents of Warrants for Deer, &c. Part III. Of fish and fishing; the most successful Methods of Angling; the only proper Baits, Tackle and agreeable Seasons for taking all Sorts of Fish; and the Rivers wherein they are to be found; with the Statutes relating to Fishing, &c. [London]: Printed by Eliz. Nutt, and R. Gosling, (Assigns of Edward Sayer Esq;) for J. Tonson at Shakespear's-Head in the Strand, and W. Taylor at the Ship in Pater-noster-Row, 1718. 12mo. [12], 152, [4] pp. 6-1/4" x 4"; (15.8 cm x 10.2 cm). Recent three-quarter calf over original paper-covered boards, executed in a period style. Spine featuring gilt rules forming six compartments with a green morocco gilt lettering piece. Armorial bookplate of John Gunning to the front pastedown. A very good, crisp copy internally, featuring a neat, closed tear repair to the fore-margin of leaf B4, not affecting the text. $1,500. * The first and only edition published under this title of this pioneering guide. Giles Jacob, a prolific and idealistic 18th-century English legal writer, passionately believed that translating complex statutes into plain English would democratize the law and create a more egalitarian society. This work represents the first time an English manual explicitly unified the recreational mechanics of field sports with the complex, restrictive web of English Forest and Game Laws. Divided into three comprehensive parts, the text systematically details the taking of game by shooting, hunting, and netting (Part I); the management of parks, warrens, and an abridgment of the Forest Laws (Part II); and the practical methods, baits, and seasons of angling alongside fishing statut.
Price: $1,500.00
Book number 86278