THE POETRY OF SPORT. Selected and edited by Hedley Peek. With a chapter on classical allusions to sport by Andrew Lang, and a special preface to the Badminton Library by A.E.T. Watson.

1896 1st edition. Small 8vo (135 x 194mm). Ppxxxvi,420. B/w plates and text engravings by A. Thorburn, Lucien Davis, C.E. Brock and others, illustrations. Brown decorative cloth, spine titled in black and gilt.

The twenty-eighth and last volume of the Badminton Library of Sports and Pastimes series. This is more than just a book of poetry; a large part of the content consists of essays discussing the classical and modern literature of sport. Sections / chapters include: "The Badminton Library," by Alfred E.T. Watson; "Is sport a fitting subject for the poet?" by Hedley Peek; "Classical sport," by Andrew Lang; "Sporting extracts - introduction - the extracts;" "Poems, songs and ballads - hunting, fishing, shooting, cricket, various;" "Humorous songs and parodies - hunting, various". It is prefaced by a very useful, twenty-four page history of the Badminton Library itself by the assistant-editor of the series, Alfred E.T. Watson. (The editor-in-chief of the series was the Duke of Beaufort - hence the series name. Badminton House was the seat of the Dukes of Beaufort).