Nicholson, William, and Rudyard Kipling. An Almanac of twelve Sports

London: Published by William Heinemann, 1898 (but 1897). Limited deluxe edition (one of only a few copies printed directly from the original wood blocks). Comprising 12 hand-colored woodcuts, each mounted to card, and signed by William Nicholson. With printed title-page with hand-colored printer's device, two printed calendar leaves, and 12 printed text leaves by Rudyard Kipling. In rare publisher's vellum-covered pictorial board portfolio, stamped in black, yellow, and green, ties perished, lightly worn, foxing to interior panels, flaps worn and slightly frayed; foxing and offsetting to text leaves; scattered foxing and toning to cards (heavier on "Fishing" and "Skating" plates), wear and scattered chipping along edges of same, larger chip in top right corner of "Archery" plate. Woodcuts measuring 8 x 8 in. (356 x 356 mm) on 17 x 14 in. (178 x 356 mm) cards. Campbell 33A; Livingston 145

Rare deluxe edition of William Nicholson and Rudyard Kipling's collaborative sporting almanac, printed from the original woodblocks and hand-colored and signed by Nicholson. Featuring 12 sporting-themed woodcuts, each depicting activity appropriate to the month illustrated, including, hunting (January), coursing (February), racing (March), boating (April), fishing (May), cricket (June), archery (July), coaching (August), shooting (September), golf (October), boxing (November), and skating (December). Each prefaced by a poem on the subject by Kipling.

Rare, especially in vellum portfolio. "The number of copies in this edition was not announced (the advertisements merely state that 'a few copies' are available), but a letter to Heinemann dated 27 August 1897 reveals that Russell ordered twelve hand-coloured sets for sale in the United States. At least two unsold hand-coloured sets of the Almanac were still in possession of William Hienemann Ltd in 1984." (Campbell, p. 184).

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

Provenance

From the collection of Justin G. Schiller

Nicholson, William, and Rudyard Kipling. An Almanac of twelve Sports

Nicholson, William, and Rudyard Kipling. An Almanac of twelve Sports