Annals of Horsemanship: Containing Accounts of Accidental Experiments, and Experimental Accidents, Both Successful and Unsuccessful

This copy of Annals of Horsemanship: Containing Accounts of Accidental Experiments, and Experimental Accidents, Both Successful and Unsuccessful: Communicated by Various Correspondents to Geoffrey Gambado, Esq. Author of "The Academy for Grown Horsemen"; Together with Most Instructive Remarks thereon, and Answers Thereto, by that Accomplished Genius was published, according to the figures stamped on the book's spine, in London in 1808. The book has been referred to as The Classic Lampoon of Idiots On Horseback, and its arrangements, contents, and details attest to that description. For example, the author, Geoffrey Gambado, never existed, but is the pseudonym for Henry William Bunbury (1750-1811), the real author/designer of the book. The text of the book starts on page 53 and proceeds to page 141. Where are the missing pages? Can they possibly be the words of a companion feature called Academy for Grown Horsemen that may have not been included in this printing of the book? These concerns dictate that the description that follows be as definitive as possible in stating the contents of the book.

On the first page with any text are the word "THE EDITOR has to lament that the first page of our Author's work, are amongst those missing, but as the Author himself, in his Preface, seems to have arranged his string of instruction, the Editor thinks himself justified in placing those first that relate to the choice of a horse".

The first color plate, appearing as a frontispiece, is The Apotheosis of Geoffrey Gambado. There are six additional color plates throughout the book.

Starting on page 53 is the seven page section titled "The Editor to the Reader"

On page 61 is a one-page ADVERTISEMENT, which partially reads "It clearly appears from the Preface to the following Work, that it was compiled prior to Mr. Gambado's appointment of Master of the Horse to the Doge of Venice; for it seems he had never at that time been above six miles from home..."

On page 63 starts a four page section titled "Geoffrey Gambado To The Reader".

On page 67 starts Letter The First, the first of eighteen letters to Geoffrey Gambado to which he comments about or responds to the writer, etc. The series of thse letters goes to the last page of the book, page number 140.

The book, which measures approximately 6 x 9 inches, has pages that are tanned and a few with stains. The outer edges of the pages are chipped. The book is hard bound in 3/4 brown leather on marbled boards, with gilt lettering on the spine. There are effects of wear along the outer edges of the covers and along the spine edges. The book is an overall good condition.

The illustrations accompanying this description show:
• The book's covers
• The title page and frontispiece (2-page spread)
• LETTER THE TENTH (2-page spread)
• Answer to LETTER THE TENTH and beginning of LETTER THE ELEVENTH
• A typical colored plate, How To Make The Mare To Go