William Somervile — The Chace. A Poem

London, Printed for G. Hawkins , 1735. Leather. A calf-bound first edition of William Somervile's famous poem on hunting. One of 750 copies according to Bowyer Ledgers records. First edition [Foxon S562].The ESTC notes that Bowyer Ledgers records show 750 printed of the first edition. In a contemporary full mottled calf binding. Retaining the original endpapers, with the publisher's errata leaf to the rear. ESTC no. T30391Register: A4, a2, B-O4, P2. Collated, complete. With an engraved frontispiece by Scotin after Gravelot. One of the most famous and frequently reprinted poems on hunting, written in Miltonic blank verse. It traces the history of hunting up to the Norman Conquest of England, with reference to kennel design, hare hunting, stag hunting, otter hunting, and the breeding and training of dogs.The well-known work of English poet William Somervile, noted for pioneering early English georgic. In a contemporary full mottled calf binding. Externally, with small loss to spine head and tail and rubbing to the joints and corners. Upper joint split and lower starting at head but both holding. Bookplate of Sir Martin Browne-Folkes and contemporary ownership inscription of John Neale to front paste down. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are generally bright and clean. Frontispiece very slightly offset, with occasional very faint tide marks to upper outer corner, mainly to final few leaves. With the odd spot and light toning. Good . Ill.: Scotin; Gravelot. Good .