[SOLLEYSELL, Jacques de (translated by Sir William Hope)]. The Compleat Horseman: Discovering the Surest Marks of the Beauty, Goodness, Faults and Imperfections of Horses, the Signs and Causes of their Diseases, the True Method Both of their Preservation and Cure, with Reflexions on the Regular and Preposterous use of Bleeding and Purging: also the Art of Shooing, with the Several Kinds of Shooes, Adapted to the Various Defects of Bad Feet, and the Preservation of Good: Together with the Best Method of Breeding Colts, Backing 'em, and Making their Mouths &c.. To which is added, a Most Excellent Supplement of Riding; Collected from the Best Authors. With an Alphabetical Catalogue of all the Physical Simples in English, French, and Latin. Made English from the Eighth Edition of the Original, and Adorn’d with Figures. [London]: printed for M. Gillyflower, in Westminster-Hall; R. Bentley, in Covent-Garden; H. Bonwick, in St. Paul’s Church-Yard; J. Tonson, W. Freeman, T. Goodwin, M. Wotton, in Fleet-street; J. Walthoe, in the Temple; S. Manship, and R. Parker, in Cornhill, MDCXCVI. [1696].
Hardcover. First edition in English, London issue. Two parts and supplement in one volume. Coeval leather-bound. Thick folio, 2º, (295 x 180 x 55mm). pp. vol. I: [36], 261, [1], [16], [4], 86, [1]; pp. vol. II: (18), 300. Bound in contemporary full calf, gilt bands to smooth spine. English text. Added engraved title-page for part-one and part two. Special undated title-page: "A supplement of horsemanship, to the first part of The parfait mareschal ... by Sir William Hope ... Printed at Edinburgh." Illustrated by 5 additional folding copperplate engraved plates. Initial and terminal blanks present.
Condition: Textually complete, this copy lacks the portrait of Solleysell and plate 5. The binding is secure with slight cracking beginning at the hinges and some light wear to extremities. Spine lacking title label. The plates are generally crisp, with usual sporadic light toning but no foxing worthy of mention. Some leaves with marginal nonintrusive chipping to fore edge. Occasional ink markings. Scarce.
Notes: First edition in English, London issue, of this classic handbook on the management of horses, covering everything from improving teeth to choosing a proper bit, with additional engraved title pages, and folding engraved plates of tack and instruments. The Parfait Mareschal (Compleat Farrier) was first published in France in 1644. This First Edition in English, Translated by Sir William Hope, was adapted from the Eighth French Edition. After studying at Lyon, Solleysell, a celebrated "Master of Horse", moved to Paris, there to practice his trade in the most celebrated riding schools of the day. He accompanied the Comte d'Avaux to Germany on a diplomatic mission in 1645, where he absorbed the superlative German advances in Veterinary science and Equitation. Upon his return to France, Solleysell established his own riding Academy, assisted Bernardi (his pupil), in founding another as well as embarking into the King's Service. Solleysell was an artist of some merit and it is likely that he executed the engravings which illustrate this work. Mellon/Podeschi 41; Wing S-4457.
