1911 — Roy. 8vo., Fourth and Best Edition, with a fine portrait frontispiece, title-vignette, 2 coloured plates, 7 fine monochrome plates in photogravure, 62 engraved illustrations in the text and a folding coloured map; handsomely bound in full chocolate Chieftain morocco BY SPOTTISWOODE, sides with double gilt frame border enclosing a gilt lotus leaf at corners and a gilt fleur-de-lis at centre, back with five raised bands tooled in gilt, second and fourth compartments lettered and framed in gilt, all other compartments framed in gilt with gilt lotus leaf jn centre, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers heightened with gilt, elaborate gilt dentelles, a superb copy ideal as a gift or for presentation. The binding is signed by Spottiswoode on front paste-down. The fine photogravure plates are from drawings by Frederick L. Griggs (of 'Highways and Byways' fame). These appear here for the first and only time, replacing four of the woodcuts present in the third edition. A PRESENTATION COPY FROM R.S. DE HAVILLAND WITH HIS SIGNED AND DATED HOLOGRAPH INSCRIPTION ON FRONT FREE ENDPAPER VERSO. Reginald Saumarez de Havilland ('Havvy'), Assistant Master at Eton, played a fundamental role in the development of the school's boating prowess. In 1892 he succeeded Donaldson as coach of the famous 'Eton Eight' and in the following year replaced the Eight's previously characteristic short, sharp stoke with a much longer draw on a sliding seat. He presented his ideas (and much else) n the standard work 'Elements of Rowing' (Eton, 1913). Lyte's standard history was first published in 1875 and successively updated and re-issued in 1889 and 1899. A magnificent copy in virtually fine state.
