"A VERY VALUABLE ACQUISITION TO THOSE WHO ARE DEVOTED TO ARCHERY": 1833 FIRST EDITION OF THE ARCHER'S GUIDE, WITH THREE HAND-COLORED PLATES BY ROBERT CRUIKSHANK

TOXOPHILITE, Old. The Archer's Guide: Containing Full Instructions for the Use of That Ancient and Noble Instrument the Bow; Directions for the Choice of Arrows; and all the Information Essential to the Attainment of Theoretical Proficiency in the Graceful, Manly, and Fashionable Pastime of Archery. Accompanied by a Sketch of the History of the Long-Bow, Whether as a Weapon of War or an Instrument of Amusement. By an Old Toxophilite. London: T. Hurst, St. Paul's Church-Yard. 1833. 12mo, rebound in quarter dark green cloth with original illustrated light green boards. $600.

1833 first edition of The Archer's Guide—"Robin Hood and his merry men, of course, cut a conspicuous figure in it," with three hand-colored plates by Robert Cruikshank.

"[O]f considerable interest for its literary content, to say nothing of its cleverness as a guide to the practice of the art… [A] desirable addition to a miscellaneous library, and certainly a very valuable acquisition to those who are devoted to archery as a pursuit… The author devotes his second chapter to the history of archery in England. Robin Hood and his merry men, of course, cut a conspicuous figure in it" (from pre-publication reviews in F. W. N. Bayley's The National Standard, February and March, 1833). Combines practical instruction with detailed historical background based on earlier sources, including Ascham's 1545 treatise, Toxophilus, (a word coined by Ascham, from the Greek toxon 'bow' and philos 'loving'). With three colored plates by [Isaac] Robert Cruikshank (brother of George Cruikshank). Early signature, "R. A. Taylor," on front free endpaper.

Text bright and clean, the three Cruikshank plates joined to form one folding plate tipped in before the title page, plates with only light browning, colors bright, original illustrated light green boards worn but sound.