GENIUS GENUINE.a fine part in riding a race, first Edition

Chifney (Samuel

Publication Date: 1804

About this Item

Chifney (Samuel) GENIUS GENUINE.a fine part in riding a race, first edition ?, vii. 170 pp., SIGNED BY E CHIFNEY on inside front cover, signed by Thomas Erskine and James Robb on title page, book plates of J Thomas Erskine on inside front cover and Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester on end paper, contemporary notes in pencil concerning the story of Chifney and Escape, see below, original price of £5 crossed out in ink and replaced with Price One Pound, original marbled boards, spine with paper label, edges uncut, preserved in modern cream calf-backed marbled drop backed case, spine gilt with racing motifs, Sold for the Author, 232 Piccadilly, and nowhere else, 1804. The events described in this book took place in 1791 when Samuel Chifney, who had been retained by the Prince of Wales to be his rider for life at a salary of £200 per annum, lost a race he was expected to win on the Prince's best horse Escape. The following day on the same horse and against the same field he won at considerably longer odds. Although his explanation was accepted by the Prince it was not by the Jockey Club. This book is an attempt to exonerate himself. The date of publication is of some doubt with some authorities claiming it to have been published as early as 1795. The note on the the reverse of the half title states that "From unforeseen circumstances the author has been prevented publishing this Book at the time intended." The book describes events upto 1803 so it would appear strange if indeed the book had been published in 1795. Size: 8vo. Seller Inventory # 004700

Bibliographic Details

Title: GENIUS GENUINE.a fine part in riding a race,...

Publication Date: 1804

Binding: Marbled Boards

Condition: Very Good

Signed: Signed by Author(s)

Edition: First ? Edition.

Book Type: Horse Racing