The Sword And The Centuries, Or Old Sword Days And Old Sword Ways, Being A Description Of The Various Swords Used In Civilized Europe During The Last Five Centuries, And Of Single Combats Which Have Been Fought With Them de Hutton, Alfred - 1901

Grant Richards, London, 1901; First Edition; 8vo, 367 pages; illustrated. A detailed history of swordplay tracing the sword and its use from the fifteenth through nineteenth centuries. Much discussion of early types of swords, such as Two-Hand Sword, Rapier Foil, Dagger Foil, Stiletto, Flamberge, Small Sword, Falchion, and Broadsword, with their uses illustrated by accounts of famous fights from the history of combat, legendary duels, private quarrels, public feuds, and prize fights. Includes a closing chapter on the obsolete British sports of cudgeling, backswording, and singlestick. Lavishly bound in three-quarter red levant morocco with marbled boards, raised bands, gilt titles and decorations, gilt top edges, and marbled endpapers. Fine. Former copy of William H. Bartlett (1850-1926), Vermejo Park, N.M., famous turn of the century grain speculator known as the "Wheat King Of The World," with his custom engraved bookplate on the front pastedown. Bartlett owned the 400,000 acre Vermejo Park ranch in Northern New Mexico which today is the ranch and game reserve of media magnate Ted Turner. Subsequent owner small custom printed bookplate on marbled front endpaper. A beautiful copy.