Ancient and "modern" Hippology and Equestriana

Berenger, Richard

[HORSES]. The History and Art of Horsemanship

London: For T. Davies and T. Cadell, 1771. 2 vols. in one, 4to. vii, [1], 319, [4]; [4], 246, [2] pp. COMPLETE with 2 frontispieces and 15 plates (numbered 1-9 and 1-6), several engraved ornaments in the text, some dust-soiling or light browning; occasional staining (not objectionable). Contemporary calf, rebacked with new spine (original spine label preserved), corners renewed some time ago, two binder's blanks at front and back (19th-century?), those at the front somewhat weak). A sound copy, sturdily rebacked. Good. Item #3527

WELL-KNOWN 18TH-CENTURY MANUAL OF HIPPOLOGY AND EQUESTRIANA. Volume one contains information about horses in antiquity and the Medieval era, and their training in numerous countries around the world. This is followed by a compound of Xenophon's treaties on horses and horsemanship. To this is added an essay on chariots and carriages employed during races and in war. Volume two describes the then-current methodology of training horses with the most "modern" accoutrements available. The work is illustrated with two engraved frontispieces and 15 plates (one of which is a mezzotint), showing the horses and riding-masters in classical and Medieval times, as well as in the 18th century.

Richard Berenger (d. 1782) was well positioned to write such a book as this, as he held the office of Gentleman of the Horse to His Majesty; indeed, the book is dedicated by permission to George IV himself, a rare honor.

Provenance: inscription inside front cover "Wm H. Higman, College Street, Bristol" -- inscription on first blank "Bellenden Hutcheson, 1827" (possibly that of Bellenden Buteel Hutcheson, 1806-1845, likewise of Bristol) -- bookseller's label inside front cover "W. Riviere, Bath" -- Dorothy Sloan, with her penciled monogram on verso of penultimate blank.

Price: $1,500.00