Aquatic Notes, or Sketches of the Rise and Progress of Rowing at Cambridge - Inscribed - , By a Member of the C. U. B. C., With a Letter Containing Hints on Rowing and Training By Robert Coombes, Champion-Sculler -
John Fitzherbert Bateman, Robert Coombes
1852 - J. Deighton, Cambridge - First and Sole Edition
A fine and thus extremely scarce first edition of this work, written by J. F. Bateman, founder and first president of the Lady Margaret Boat Club (L.M.B.C.) and inscribed by Batemen to Edward Woodley Bowling of the L.M.B.C. and author of many a Cambridge rowing poem including ‘The Lady Margaret 5th Boat’ and ‘The Great Boat Race’.
Chapter headings include Foundation of the Principal Clubs, A Day at Henley, and Hints on Rowing and Training by Robert Coombes, who was a notably distinguished Thames waterman, oarsman and sculler.
Coombes’s first public race took place in 1838. He pioneered the successful use of skill, technique and training, thereby beating men of superior size and strength, and was Champion of the Thames from 1846-1852. His knowledge was exploited successively by the Oxford (1840) and Cambridge (1846, 1849 both races) Boat Race crews. Cambridge asked him to coach again in 1852, but a dispute broke out about the use of professional trainers, with the result that for many years both sides avoided professionals and men of working class origins. Sadly, Coombes descended into poverty in later life, and died in the Kent Asylum in 1860. A fine monument to him was raised at Brompton Cemetery by public subscription in 1866. Provenance: The Rev. Edward Woodley Bowling (1837–1907) was an English poet, rector of Houghton Conquest, and fellow of St John's College, Cambridge, where was awarded The Seatonian Prize for poetry and contributed to ‘Punch’ and ‘The Eagle’ magazine.
An example of Bowling’s poetry - ‘Granta Victrix’ about the 1870 boat race:-
‘These men of weight rowed strong and straight,
And led from start to finish;
Their slow and steady thirty-eight
No spurts could e'er diminish:
Till Darbyshire, not given to lose,
Sees Cambridge rowing past him;
And Goldie steps into his shoes;
Long may their leather last him!’
References: Brittain, Oar, Scull and Rudder 7. Bell, History of The First Trinity Boat Club, 1908. Rowers of Vanity Fair. Toy, Adventures Afloat 1676.
Small octavo (book size 17.5x11.2cm), pp. [2] vi [1 mispaginated] x-xi [1] 107 [1]. In publisher’s dark blue embossed cloth, titled in gilt on upper cover within ornamental frame, spine titled gilt within a gilt blocked oar, matt pink coated endpapers. Condition: Fine but for some light wear to corners and spine ends. Ref: 112587 Price: HK$ 7,000
Chapter headings include Foundation of the Principal Clubs, A Day at Henley, and Hints on Rowing and Training by Robert Coombes, who was a notably distinguished Thames waterman, oarsman and sculler.
Coombes’s first public race took place in 1838. He pioneered the successful use of skill, technique and training, thereby beating men of superior size and strength, and was Champion of the Thames from 1846-1852. His knowledge was exploited successively by the Oxford (1840) and Cambridge (1846, 1849 both races) Boat Race crews. Cambridge asked him to coach again in 1852, but a dispute broke out about the use of professional trainers, with the result that for many years both sides avoided professionals and men of working class origins. Sadly, Coombes descended into poverty in later life, and died in the Kent Asylum in 1860. A fine monument to him was raised at Brompton Cemetery by public subscription in 1866. Provenance: The Rev. Edward Woodley Bowling (1837–1907) was an English poet, rector of Houghton Conquest, and fellow of St John's College, Cambridge, where was awarded The Seatonian Prize for poetry and contributed to ‘Punch’ and ‘The Eagle’ magazine.
An example of Bowling’s poetry - ‘Granta Victrix’ about the 1870 boat race:-
‘These men of weight rowed strong and straight,
And led from start to finish;
Their slow and steady thirty-eight
No spurts could e'er diminish:
Till Darbyshire, not given to lose,
Sees Cambridge rowing past him;
And Goldie steps into his shoes;
Long may their leather last him!’
References: Brittain, Oar, Scull and Rudder 7. Bell, History of The First Trinity Boat Club, 1908. Rowers of Vanity Fair. Toy, Adventures Afloat 1676.
Small octavo (book size 17.5x11.2cm), pp. [2] vi [1 mispaginated] x-xi [1] 107 [1]. In publisher’s dark blue embossed cloth, titled in gilt on upper cover within ornamental frame, spine titled gilt within a gilt blocked oar, matt pink coated endpapers. Condition: Fine but for some light wear to corners and spine ends. Ref: 112587 Price: HK$ 7,000