Sporting Discoveries, or The Miseries of Shooting in a series of seven plates

London: S. & J. Fuller, 1816. One of the Rarest of Alken's Works"
Seven Magnificent Hand Colored Etched Plates Depicting
'The Miseries of Shooting'

ALKEN, Henry. [Sporting Discoveries, or The Miseries of Shooting in a series of seven plates, Being Hints to Young Sportsmen. By Ben Tally-Ho. Author of "Qualified Horses and Unqualified Riders."]. London: Published by S. and J. Fuller, [February 1st, 1816].

First edition, with all seven plates dated February 1st, 1816.

Oblong folio (10 3/8 x 14 inches; 262 x 355 mm.). Seven magnificent hand-colored etched plates.

Bound by Rivière & Son ca. 1900 in full red crushed levant morocco, covers decoratively bordered in gilt, spine with five raised bands elaborately tooled and lettered in gilt in compartments, gilt ruled board edges, gilt decorated turn-ins, dark blue coated endpapers, all edges gilt. Expertly and almost invisibly rebacked with the original spine laid down.
A fine copy with the hand coloring bright and fresh.

Each of the plates have extensive engraved captions explaining each pitiful situation, be it the accidental shooting of an old market woman; the accidental shooting of your favorite pointer; getting caught by gamekeepers; the accidental shooting of a fine lamb; discovering that your powder flask is empty; discovering a brood of turkeys, or, getting your leg caught in a trap.

The plates:

1. "A Simple Discovery" Published Feb. 1. 1816.
2. "A Common Discovery" Published Feb. 1. 1816.
3. "A Troublesome Discovery" Published Feb. 1. 1816.
4. "A Trifling Discovery" Published Feb. 1. 1816. (Watermarked "J. Whatman 1817")
5. "A Curious Discovery" Published Feb. 1. 1816. (Watermarked "J. Whatman 1817")
6. "A Fatal Discovery" Published Feb. 1. 1816. (Watermarked "J. Whatman 1817")
7. "A Painful Discovery" Published Feb. 1. 1816. (Watermarked "J. Whatman 1817")

"First issue of a well drawn and finely coloured set of plates representing shooting accidents, not easily met with in perfect state. No copy in Brit. Mus." (Schwerdt).

First issue of an excessively rare early Alken. The companion to the Miseries of Hunting and the Miseries of Driving.

We can locate only three copies of this book in libraries and institutions worldwide: Yale University Library (CT); The National Sporting Library (VA); and The Huntington Library (CA).

Schwerdt I, p. 23; Bobins II, 748; Siltzer p. 69; Tooley, 53 (1823 issue); Fitz Eugene Dixon sale at Anderson Galleries January 6th, 1937, lot #7, ($675); Not in the Widener Auction of 1944.