Sales catalogue 536: Maggs Bros

Date:
1930
Reference:
WA/HMM/CM/Sal/13/91
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Sales catalogue 536: Maggs Bros. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    19/542 page 11
    MARKHAM (Gervase), 1658?-1637. Reputed the “ first English hackney writer.’ Hts industry as author, trans- lator, and compiler was enormous, and his work was distinctly meritorious, as well as advantageous to the kingdom. He was believed to have imported the first Arab horse into England The exact date of Gervase Markham’s birth is not known, but it 1s certain that he served in the Low Country Wars and in Ireland prior to 1593. He then settled down to miscellaneous writing, and in 1595 published his poem (174 etght-line stanzas) on the battle of the “ Revenge”; some of its phrases reappear in Tenny- son’s (more condensed) story. He wrote numerous other poetical pieces, including a lengthy continuation of Sir Philip Stdney’s “ Arcadia.” He also translated from the Italian, and had a share in two dramas. H1s principal works were in prose. “ The Discourse of Horsemanshippe ”’ (1593) was the first of eight or nine separate publications on horses and farriery. “ The Young Sportsman’s Instructor’’ 1s one of many books on archery, fowling, angling, cock- fighting, and hawking and hunt- ing. a The English Husbandman (1613-15) and “ Cheap and Good Husbandry” (1614) are two of his many books on farming and improving land. Then there 1s a series of books on soldiering and military exercises. Even with this record, he left works which yet remain in MS. 1320 CavexariceE; or, The English Horseman, contayning all the Arte of Horseman-ship, as much as is necessary for any man to understand, whether he be Horse-Breeder, horse-ryder, horse- hunter, inne horse-ambler, hone ee horse- keeper, Goactnlay Smith, or Sadler, together with the Discovery of the subtill aide or mistery of ianpe eee & an explanation of the excellency of a horses understanding, or how to teach them to doe Trickes like Bankes his Curtall, and that horses may be made to draw drie-foot like a Hound, Secrets before unpublished and now carefully set down for the profit of this whole Nation. With separate titles to each of the eight parts, the first and second within elaborate woodcut borders; woodcuts in the text. First Eprrion. Thick small 4to. Original calf. (Imprint to Part II.) London, Printed for Edward White, and are to be solde at his shop neare the little north doore of Saint Paules Church at the signe of the Gun, 1607. £24 Without the folding plate found in some copies, though not actually called for (Continued over)
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