THE QUEEN'S PRIZE: The Story of the National Rifle Association.

UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn.FINE/FINE.No owner inscrptn and no price-clip to dw/dj.Bright,crisp,clean,glossy laminated,colour pictorial artwork painting illustrated front panel with white+blue lettering,colour photographic illustrated rear panel of dw/dj; with negligible shelf-wear or creasing to edges and corners - no nicks or tears present.Top+fore- edges bright and clean; contents bright,tight,clean,solid and sound - pristine - no dog-ear reading creases to any pages' corners,appears unread - apart from my own collation.Bright,crisp,clean,sharp-cornered, publisher's original plain maroon cloth boards with bright,crisp,stamped gilt letters to spine/backstrip and near immaculate plain white endpapers.UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn,9-188pp [paginated] includes a foreword by Lord Cottesloe,a preface,9 chapters,32pp profuse contemporary b/w illus and b/w photographs in 4 blocks of 8pp apiece, between pp32/3,pp80/1,pp112/3,and pp128/9 respectively,appendices (I-III includes a biblio),and an index; plus [unpaginated] half-title,a double-paged,b/w historical painting illustrated title page,a dedication, contents list/table and 2pp blanks at the rear of the book.
'The Queen's Prize' tells the story of the NRA from its inception in 1859 when,less than half a century after Waterloo,the country feared an invasion by the French,to its much-loved atmosphere and condition in the present day.This unique story reveals how early Meetings on Wimbledon Common were a social event equal only to Henley and Ascot, when royalty,VIPs from abroad and a regular wit,Mr Punch,came to watch the shooting and to enjoy the entertainments which included concerts by the stars of the day such as Jenny Lind,and sham battles involving thousands of troops.The story tells why the move to Bisley Common became necessary; the in calculable role the NRA has played in the development of the rifle,in the defence of the realm in two World Wars, and as an ambassador to the Commonwealth.It looks at what is reputed to be the largest collection of silver trophies in the world,and as some of the winners of The Queen's Prize,founded by Queen Victoria in 1860 and which remains to this day the Meeting's most prestigious prize whose winners,particularly from abroad, have over the years been feted like conquering heroes or visiting celebrities,a prize which has been won just once by a woman in 1930.It is,says Lord Cottesloe,the NRA's Deputy President,a book to be enjoyed and savoured by anyone,marksmen or no. Since April 2013,again in March 2015,and in this year too,the UK Post Office has altered it's Pricing in Proportion template,altering it's prices, weight allowances,dimensions and lowered it's qualifying compensation rates too! So,please contact rpaxtonden@blueyonder.co.uk ,because of the weight/value of this item for correct,insured shipping/P+p quotes - particularly ALL overseas buyers - BEFORE ordering through the order page!