Qualified Horses and Unqualified Riders
- London: S. & J. Fuller, 1815
London: S. & J. Fuller, 1815. Alken's First Published Work
The Comic Foibles of Amateur Horsemen
[ALKEN, Henry]. Qualified Horses and Unqualified Riders, or the reverse of Sporting Phrases taken from the Work entitled Indispensable Accomplishments... [by] Ben Tally Ho, an occasional Visitor in Leicestershire. London: S. & J. Fuller, 1st Septr, 1815.
First edition, slightly later issue with the plates watermarked J. Whatman, 1817.
Oblong folio (10 5/8 x 14 1/4 inches 3/8; 270 x 362 mm.). Printed title-page and seven hand-colored engraved plates. Occasional light marginal soiling (most noticeable on first plate, otherwise bright and fresh.
Mid-to-late twentieth century half red morocco over marbled boards decoratively ruled in gilt, red morocco label on front cover, lettered and tooled in gilt, smooth spine. Publisher's drab printed front wrapper bound in. Wrapper expertly repaired at edges not affecting text. An excellent copy.
Alken's first hunting satire, showing how the untrained rider endangers himself, his horse and others around him. The work is an ironic sequel to Frankland's Indispensable Accomplishments, taking the Frankland "Billesdon Coplow" scenes and captions and turning them on their ear, specifically on the rider's behind as he's tossed hither and yon by a horse clearly more in control of things than the rider, who is finally carried off the field of comic disaster by his friends.
The first of Alken's color plate books. "A humorous set depicting hunting accidents drawn in vigorous style. Alken's colouring is seen at its best in books of this class" (Schwerdt).
The Plates:
1. Going along a slapping pace, for the very same reason, that a Criminal goes to Gaol...
2. Topping a Flight of Rails and coming into the next Field, (but not well.)...
3. Charging an Ox-fence... with good Success.
4. Got in and getting out... very clever.
5. Facing a Brook. Verifying the old Adage, look before you leap. (Watermarked J. Whatman 1817)
6. Swishing at a Rasper, from your own timidity and mismanagement...
7. Returning home in Triumph. He disdain'd a Slothful Easy Life, so took to hunting.
Bobins II, 747; Schwerdt I, p. 20; Siltzer, p. 69; Tooley 44.
The Comic Foibles of Amateur Horsemen
[ALKEN, Henry]. Qualified Horses and Unqualified Riders, or the reverse of Sporting Phrases taken from the Work entitled Indispensable Accomplishments... [by] Ben Tally Ho, an occasional Visitor in Leicestershire. London: S. & J. Fuller, 1st Septr, 1815.
First edition, slightly later issue with the plates watermarked J. Whatman, 1817.
Oblong folio (10 5/8 x 14 1/4 inches 3/8; 270 x 362 mm.). Printed title-page and seven hand-colored engraved plates. Occasional light marginal soiling (most noticeable on first plate, otherwise bright and fresh.
Mid-to-late twentieth century half red morocco over marbled boards decoratively ruled in gilt, red morocco label on front cover, lettered and tooled in gilt, smooth spine. Publisher's drab printed front wrapper bound in. Wrapper expertly repaired at edges not affecting text. An excellent copy.
Alken's first hunting satire, showing how the untrained rider endangers himself, his horse and others around him. The work is an ironic sequel to Frankland's Indispensable Accomplishments, taking the Frankland "Billesdon Coplow" scenes and captions and turning them on their ear, specifically on the rider's behind as he's tossed hither and yon by a horse clearly more in control of things than the rider, who is finally carried off the field of comic disaster by his friends.
The first of Alken's color plate books. "A humorous set depicting hunting accidents drawn in vigorous style. Alken's colouring is seen at its best in books of this class" (Schwerdt).
The Plates:
1. Going along a slapping pace, for the very same reason, that a Criminal goes to Gaol...
2. Topping a Flight of Rails and coming into the next Field, (but not well.)...
3. Charging an Ox-fence... with good Success.
4. Got in and getting out... very clever.
5. Facing a Brook. Verifying the old Adage, look before you leap. (Watermarked J. Whatman 1817)
6. Swishing at a Rasper, from your own timidity and mismanagement...
7. Returning home in Triumph. He disdain'd a Slothful Easy Life, so took to hunting.
Bobins II, 747; Schwerdt I, p. 20; Siltzer, p. 69; Tooley 44.
Details
Title
Qualified Horses and Unqualified Riders
Author
ALKEN, Henry
Condition
Unknown
Publisher
London: S. & J. Fuller, 1815