The Art of Swimming. A Series of Practical Instructions on an Original and Progressive Plan.

Frost, J.

Published by New York: P.W. Gallaudet., 1818

About this Item

Original rose paper boards with cover label. Tall octavo. xvi, 72pp. Lacking the 12 engraved illustrations. First American edition. The author was a swimming instructor from Nottingham, England. The first edition of this work was published in London in 1816 and titled "Scientific Swimming. A Series of Practical Illustrations on an Original and Progressive Plan". Thomas, in his bibliography of swimming books, calls this work "the second original English treatise (on swimming), Digby being the original. He is referring to the latter's "De Arte Natandi Libri Duo" from 1589. Frost had some original ideas relating to swimming including the importance of floating, of learning strokes on land, the wearing of a thin calico bathing suit, the use of a thin board with cork to float, and much more. He also reprints the text of a 1760s letter from Benjamin Franklin to Oliver Neale with swimming instructions which proved quite influential in subsequent instructional works. A worn copy with some spotting to the covers and some chipping to the spine and corners. The front cover label is intact and unworn. The text is good with some scattered foxing and spotting throughout. There is an early ink name at the top of the flyleaf and title page but no other markings in the book. Seller Inventory # 10280

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Art of Swimming. A Series of Practical ...

Publisher: New York: P.W. Gallaudet.

Publication Date: 1818

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Fair