first edition
by GODFREY, John; ZAEHNSDORF, binders
London: Printed for the Author, by T. Gardner, 1747. One of the Great Rarities of Dueling and Boxing Literature
GODFREY, Captain John. A Treatise upon the Useful Science of Defence, Connecting the Small and Back-Sword, And shewing the Affinity between them. Likewise Endeavouring to weed the Art of those superfluous, unmeaning Practices which over-run it, and choke the true Principles, by reducing it to a narrow Compass, and suppporting it with Mathematical Proofs. Also An Examination into the Performances of the most Noted Masters of the Back-Sword, who have fought upon the Stage, pointing out their Faults, and allowing their Abilities. With Some Observations upon Boxing, and the Characters of the most able Boxers within the Author's time. London: Printed for the Author, by T. Gardner, 1747.
First edition. Small quarto ( 9 1/4 x 6 7/8 inches; 235 x 175 mm.). [viii], 66 pp. With a fine woodcut headpiece on page 1 and two woodcut tail-pieces
Bound by Zaehnsdorf in 1916 (stamp-signed on front turn-in) in full olive green crushed levant morocco, covers ruled in gilt, spine with five raised bands decoratively ruled and lettered in gilt in compartments, gilt decorated board edges, gilt ruled turn-ins, all edges gilt. Lower 1 1/2 inch of front joint slightly cracked, front inner hinge cracked but sound. Some very occasional light foxing or staining, mainly marginal. A wonderful example of this first book in English to include the subject of modern boxing.
The first book in English to include the subject of modern boxing. The first forty-five pages deal with fencing. Pages 46-66 are devoted to "Boxing" and "Characters of the Boxers." In this fascinating exploration of the art and science of fencing, Godfrey covers everything from the fundamentals of attack and defense to the nuances of style and technique, offering a wealth of practical advice for both aspiring swordsman and seasoned duelist.
Rare: The last copy to appear at auction was in 2016 - prior to that that there were just three other copies between 1963 and 1997. OCLC/KVK locate just six copies in libraries and institutions worldwide.
A very scarce text on fencing, which also contains the first significant discussion of the skills required in boxing and a description of some of the renowned boxers of the day. Describing the basic principles of armed and unarmed combat Godfrey tells how the champions of his day fought with swords, sticks and fists. Godfrey himself was an intrepid pupil of James Figg (1695-1734), the first English bare-knuckle boxing champion, generally regarded the father of modern boxing.
"The so-called "science" of boxing was first explored in 1747 by boxer John Godfrey whose published work, A Treatise Upon the Useful Science of Self Defense, observed that fighting (and pugilism) was indeed a nature-inherited trait that is evident even in infancy. He notes that the science of boxing and the engagement in pugilism are not only natural emotional reactions, but could even be described as "humane"; it takes courage and character to engage in the act, as well as mental fortitude. This concept is far from the "violent" and "savage" acts we usually associate with the term today." (fightcamp.com)
"The eighteenth century witnessed the emergence of a plethora of sporting professionals, many of whom were involved in developing training and coaching practices. Teaching the skills, the 'science', of boxing became an important source of income for professional fighters while some practitioners also developed careers as trainers, normally operating on behalf of the wealthy 'amateurs' who retained professionals in order to make profitable wagers. These practices were described in some of the early instructional manuals of the period, notably a detailed analysis of wrestling by Sir Thomas Parkyns in 1713, who considered technique, fitness, and diet, and by Captain John Godfrey in 1747 who included a seminal section on boxing in his A Treatise upon the Useful Science of Defence. The proliferation of boxing manuals in the last quarter of the century reflected both a revival of interest in the sport and a desire to record the essential elements of this martial 'science' since it was only now that contemporaries believed a full understanding had been achieved of the importance of 'wind' (endurance), 'bottom' (courage), and 'science' (technique). This paper explores a number of texts where authors discussed these essential components of boxing performance and highlights the longevity of their methods of athletic preparation." (tandfonline.com). (Inventory #: 05784)
GODFREY, Captain John. A Treatise upon the Useful Science of Defence, Connecting the Small and Back-Sword, And shewing the Affinity between them. Likewise Endeavouring to weed the Art of those superfluous, unmeaning Practices which over-run it, and choke the true Principles, by reducing it to a narrow Compass, and suppporting it with Mathematical Proofs. Also An Examination into the Performances of the most Noted Masters of the Back-Sword, who have fought upon the Stage, pointing out their Faults, and allowing their Abilities. With Some Observations upon Boxing, and the Characters of the most able Boxers within the Author's time. London: Printed for the Author, by T. Gardner, 1747.
First edition. Small quarto ( 9 1/4 x 6 7/8 inches; 235 x 175 mm.). [viii], 66 pp. With a fine woodcut headpiece on page 1 and two woodcut tail-pieces
Bound by Zaehnsdorf in 1916 (stamp-signed on front turn-in) in full olive green crushed levant morocco, covers ruled in gilt, spine with five raised bands decoratively ruled and lettered in gilt in compartments, gilt decorated board edges, gilt ruled turn-ins, all edges gilt. Lower 1 1/2 inch of front joint slightly cracked, front inner hinge cracked but sound. Some very occasional light foxing or staining, mainly marginal. A wonderful example of this first book in English to include the subject of modern boxing.
The first book in English to include the subject of modern boxing. The first forty-five pages deal with fencing. Pages 46-66 are devoted to "Boxing" and "Characters of the Boxers." In this fascinating exploration of the art and science of fencing, Godfrey covers everything from the fundamentals of attack and defense to the nuances of style and technique, offering a wealth of practical advice for both aspiring swordsman and seasoned duelist.
Rare: The last copy to appear at auction was in 2016 - prior to that that there were just three other copies between 1963 and 1997. OCLC/KVK locate just six copies in libraries and institutions worldwide.
A very scarce text on fencing, which also contains the first significant discussion of the skills required in boxing and a description of some of the renowned boxers of the day. Describing the basic principles of armed and unarmed combat Godfrey tells how the champions of his day fought with swords, sticks and fists. Godfrey himself was an intrepid pupil of James Figg (1695-1734), the first English bare-knuckle boxing champion, generally regarded the father of modern boxing.
"The so-called "science" of boxing was first explored in 1747 by boxer John Godfrey whose published work, A Treatise Upon the Useful Science of Self Defense, observed that fighting (and pugilism) was indeed a nature-inherited trait that is evident even in infancy. He notes that the science of boxing and the engagement in pugilism are not only natural emotional reactions, but could even be described as "humane"; it takes courage and character to engage in the act, as well as mental fortitude. This concept is far from the "violent" and "savage" acts we usually associate with the term today." (fightcamp.com)
"The eighteenth century witnessed the emergence of a plethora of sporting professionals, many of whom were involved in developing training and coaching practices. Teaching the skills, the 'science', of boxing became an important source of income for professional fighters while some practitioners also developed careers as trainers, normally operating on behalf of the wealthy 'amateurs' who retained professionals in order to make profitable wagers. These practices were described in some of the early instructional manuals of the period, notably a detailed analysis of wrestling by Sir Thomas Parkyns in 1713, who considered technique, fitness, and diet, and by Captain John Godfrey in 1747 who included a seminal section on boxing in his A Treatise upon the Useful Science of Defence. The proliferation of boxing manuals in the last quarter of the century reflected both a revival of interest in the sport and a desire to record the essential elements of this martial 'science' since it was only now that contemporaries believed a full understanding had been achieved of the importance of 'wind' (endurance), 'bottom' (courage), and 'science' (technique). This paper explores a number of texts where authors discussed these essential components of boxing performance and highlights the longevity of their methods of athletic preparation." (tandfonline.com). (Inventory #: 05784)