Rare Pictorial Map Showing the National Sports and Pastimes of Great Britain

"A Map of Gt. Britain Showing Divers Sports and Pastimes Therein Practised",

This rare and colorful pictorial map celebrates the history of athleticism in Great Britain. It was "drawn with divers embellishments" by Alfred E. Taylor and published as a promotional item for Eno's Fruit Salt, a popular cure-all in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, now used as an antacid. Great Britain is dense with illustrations showing a surprising range of sports, including wrestling, tennis, lacrosse, ice hockey, rock climbing, sailing, curling, fishing, steeplechasing, stag hunting, bardic contests, and darts. The map is surrounded by an elaborately designed border that incorporates mighty figures from classical mythology, such as Amazons, Diana, Ulysses, Atalanta, Hercules, Jason, and Atlas. Throughout the map are literary quotes on sport, most notably a cut of verse from Samuel Rowlands that appears as part of the ornate title cartouche. The map is further embellished by a compass rose built around a ring of dancers. Printed by Vincent Brooks, Day & Son Ltd. Folds into illustrated paper covers with an alternate title: The Eno Sports Map of Great Britain. We have only located one other example of this map.

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Condition: B+

A bright example issued folding with a fold separation that enters 1" into border at bottom that has been closed with archival tape. There is an old tape stain in the right blank margin and small pinholes in the corners. Covers are moderately foxed and toned with old tape repairs along spine and edges.