Beschreibung:

STRINGER, Arthur (b. c. 1664). The Experienc'd Huntsman, or, a Collection of Observations upon the Nature and Chace of the Stagg ... Hare, Fox, Martern and Otter. Belfast: by James Blow, 1714. Small 8° (143 x 81mm). (A slightly short-margined copy with text shaved at the fore-margin of E7, one page-number shaved, lightly browned throughout, final errata leaf supplied in facsimile.) Early 19th-century mottled calf (rebacked with original spine preserved), red cloth folding box. Provenance : Joseph Woodley (very faint signature on title, repeated on the following page and on the first page of text) -- C.F.G.R. Schwerdt (bookplate; and a 2pp. A.L.S., Dublin, 17 January 1929, from the bookseller, Peter Ennis, informing Schwerdt that he is attempting to locate a copy of the book; Schwerdt sale, 11 March 1946, lot 2024). THE RARE FIRST EDITION of the first book to deal with hunting in an Irish context -- the second edition appeared at Dublin in 1780. Arthur Stringer was born c.1664 and became huntsman to Viscount Conway at Portmore, Co. Antrim. An exceptionally observant and accurate naturalist, he was among the first writers who believed that a pack of hounds should be specifically trained to hunt foxes and avoid other game, something many commentators claim to be a later innovation. A book from one of the earliest presses at Belfast where printing was introduced in 1697/98. ESTC locates 4 copies (BL, Cambridge University Library, Linen Hall Library, Belfast, Virginia State Library). SCHWERDT COPY. Schwerdt IV, p. 88: 'Excessively rare'.