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| The Game of Billiards - by Michael Phelan - 1863 | |
| Ad Posted: | 8/27/2010 12:10:21 AM |
| Ad Expire: | 9/26/2010 12:10:21 AM |
| Posted By: | ivgotit |
| Category: | Collectibles > Other Collectibles Not Listed |
| Ad Description: | |
Collectible Book Imprint: New York, D. Appleton and Company, 1863 Edition: Fifth Edition Binding: Decorated cloth covered hardback. "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 item is in very good condtion. All pages are in excellent condtition and none are missing, frayed or torn. The hardcover is in very good conditon: the corners are scuffed, the small top and bottom flaps of the back binding are missing, and the front and rear inside binding pages are slightly split at the binding seam. Copies of this edition in worse condition are being offered at $1500-$1650. Buyer pays shipping and insurance. Book will ship from Oracle, Arizona (My username is "ivgotit", my name is "Kent Thornell.") | |