Dear Clients and Friends,
We announce the publication this week of a wee, but, we believe, important addition to golf’s library. Our friend and colleague Peter Lewis, whose diligent and insightful golf research and writing have been prolific for more than a few years—and award-winning—has focused his most-current effort upon the core of a central text in golf’s literary canon, Robert Clark’s 1875 publication of Golf: A Royal & Ancient Game. That centerpiece is a series of nine sonnets authored variously by Robert Chambers, Patrick Proctor Alexander, and Robert Chambers, Junior. The poems were accompanied by exquisite sketches by the renowned golf artist, Thomas Hodge, whose wonderful images we include. Hence, we are pleased to bring forth The Nine Holes of the Links of St Andrews.
The publication includes Peter’s commentary about the poets themselves and his research into earlier versions of the poems pre-dating 1875. An Afterword is penned by David Hamilton, a friend, also an award-winning golf author, and loyal Grant Books Ltd contributor. With kind permission of The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews we include two high-resolution images of important cartography of the Old Course: the 1836 mapping by W. and J. Chalmers in Perth and the 1875 mapping by W. and A.K. Johnston in Edinburgh. Taken together the two documents combine to illustrate the dramatic effect of the ‘widening’ of the Old Course driven by Old Tom Morris beginning in the late 1860’s, not too far distant from the ‘gutta percha’ ball superseding the ‘featherie’ ball in 1848.
Here are a few excerpts from The Nine Holes of the Links of St Andrews:
Our press run is limited to 250 copies, each printed on acid-free paper, bound at 64 pages, and housed in a durable slipcase. Design and typography are by Hughes & Company with printing and binding by Henry Ling Limited, both experienced experts resident in England.
Price is £37, plus handling, postage, and insured tracked shipping.
Shipping weight is 0.8 kilograms.
Best regards,
D M Wilson, III
Publisher
Grant Books Ltd
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