[Rarebooks] FS: THE GAME OF BILLIARDS, 1863, beautiful copy

[Charles Agvent]

> From our HOLIDAY LIST of 215 great gift items now posted on our web site: http://www.erols.com/agvent

> PHELAN,  Michael. THE GAME OF BILLIARDS. New York:  D.  Appleton
> and  Company  1863.  Fifth  Edition. "Revised,  Enlarged,  and  Richly
> Embellished  with  Engravings." First published in 1856, all  editions
> of  this  early billiards book, the second American book on the  game,
> are  scarce.  The  author, Michael Phelan, also  published  the  first
> American  book  on the game, BILLIARDS WITHOUT MASTER,  just  thirteen
> years   before  this  edition.  Considered   the  father  of  American
> billiards,  Phelan  was  influential  in devising  rules  and  setting
> standards  of  behavior,  holds  many patents for  table  designs  and
> cushions,  and  is  credited  as being the first to  put  diamonds  on
> tables.  Phelan almost single-handedly turned American billiards  into
> a  socially acceptable pastime. This book is indeed richly embellished
> with  engravings,  mostly full-page diagrams showing shots  on  tables
> but  also  including full-page and text engravings of  people  playing
> billiards.  The author covers rules, practical advice, and the history
> of  the game, including a brief chapter on Shakespeare as a  billiards
> player.    There  are  four  pages  of   ads  at  the  end  with   two
> illustrations.  This book appears to have had a frontispiece  portrait
> of  the  author. A tissue guard is present, and there is a very,  very
> faint  image  on  the verso of the opposite page indicating  that  the
> portrait  would  have  been  removed long  ago.  Despite  the  missing
> portrait, a Fine, bright copy.                                $1500.00

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CHARLES AGVENT
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