Boxiana; or, Sketches of Ancient and Modern Pugilism (complete in 5 Vols.)

London: George Smeeton. ****A CORNERSTONE OF BOXING LITERATURE**** The correct --and uncommon-- 1st edition of Pierce Egan's "Boxiana", complete in 5 volumes. 1812-1824. Bibliographically very tricky but all issue points conform to the 1st edition requirements as laid down by RA Hartley in his excellent reference on boxing literature, "History and Bibliography of Boxing Books" (#587, pgs. 144-46). Originally conceived as a broad history of the sport, the 1812 original volume proved popular enough to call for a 2nd and updated volume in 1818. Before issuing this new volume though, the publisher reprinted the original 1812 ed. to continue drumming up interest in this new project. And, after the success of these two 1818 volumes (the reprint of the 1812 1st volume and the new, 2nd volume), another volume under the stewardship of Pierce Egan was published in 1821 and then a final installment with his imprimatur in 1824. Legal wrangling with the publisher, George Smeeton, followed and Egan withdrew from the project, marking the end of the original series. This set has held up beautifully; bright and VG+, still tightly-bound and well-preserved in its original half-leather (light brown calf) over boards. Vol. 1 alone has been elegantly rebound in a light calf to blend in nicely with the 4 other original bindings. Thick octavos, 2,880 pgs. all told. One of the landmark sets in the history of boxing literature.