Newcastle, William Cavendish, Duke of

Methode et invention nouvelle de dresser les chevaux les travailler selon la nature, et parfaire la nature par la subtilité de l'art. London: John Brindley, 1737 [engraved title date: 1658]



Folio (18 3/8 x 11 in.; 468 x 280 mm). Engraved double-page title and 42 double-page engraved plates by Pieter de Jode, Pierre Clouwet, Pieter van Lisebetten, C. van Caukercken, Lucas Vorstermans, or Lommelin, after Abraham van Diepenbeeck, text diagrams, engraved vignette, woodcut historiated and decorative initials; some marginal spotting and soiling on title, text leaves and many plates lightly browned, clean tear in image of plate 1, repaired tear at lower right platemark of plate 3, occasional marginal spots. Contemporary mottled calf, spine richly gilt, gold-stamped title label on spine; corners and edges rubbed, scuff marks on both covers, backstrip cracked.

Norman Whitehouse (bookplate)

Nissen, ZBI 848

Folio (18 3/8 x 11 in.; 468 x 280 mm). Engraved double-page title and 42 double-page engraved plates by Pieter de Jode, Pierre Clouwet, Pieter van Lisebetten, C. van Caukercken, Lucas Vorstermans, or Lommelin, after Abraham van Diepenbeeck, text diagrams, engraved vignette, woodcut historiated and decorative initials; some marginal spotting and soiling on title, text leaves and many plates lightly browned, clean tear in image of plate 1, repaired tear at lower right platemark of plate 3, occasional marginal spots. Contemporary mottled calf, spine richly gilt, gold-stamped title label on spine; corners and edges rubbed, scuff marks on both covers, backstrip cracked.
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William Cavendish (c. 1593–1676), first Duke of Newcastle upon Tyne, had little aptitude for learning as a youth, but, in the company of Prince Henry he was trained by the French riding instructor St. Antoine in the art of manège, a passion that he pursued throughout his life. Defeated during the Civil War at the battle of Marston Moor (1644), he fled to the Netherlands to await the Restoration.

While in exile he cultivated his passion for horses, and the present work celebrates his horses, their training, and the lavish properties he has lost (temporarily). This is the second edition with the engraved title and plates of the first edition. The work includes 5 equestrian portraits (of which 4 include the author and one of Charles II), 5 plates of his own horses, and 24 scenes of their training, 2 allegorical designs and a portrait of the Cavendish family.