Farnie's Golfer's Manual in original cloth 1857

Title: The Golfer's Manual; Being an Historical and Descriptive Account of the National Game of Scotland; with an Appendix. By A Keen Hand
Author: [Farnie, Henry Brougham] A Keen Hand
Description: xii, [2], 96 pp. Illustrated with a lithographed frontispiece portrait of Allan Robertson, with tissue-guard. 6¼x4, original flexible red blindstamped cloth titled & decorated in gilt on front cover, all edges gilt. First Edition.The first edition of the first book of prose devoted entirely to the game of golf, and the first book of golf instruction, quite rare, especially so in the original cloth. Donovan & Jerris note that "H.B. Farnie, a native of Burntisland who studied at the University of St. Andrews, was the author of several guide books, the editor of a Fifeshire newspaper, and later a journalist in London; he died in Paris in 1889. In 1857 he authored the first book of golf instruction, published under the pseudonym 'A Keen Hand.' The subjects treated in this seminal treatise also include history, equipment, golfing terms, rules, and a list of Scottish courses. Of additional note is the portrait of Allan Robertson that appears opposite the title-page..." Donovan & Murdoch 1140; Murdoch 415; Donovan & Jerris F2500.
Heading: Place Published: Cupar, Scotland
Publisher: Whitehead and Orr
Date Published: 1857

Neatly recased with tissue repairs to endpaper hinges, a touch of wear to spine; fine condition, in modern half calf folding box.