Boxiana; or Sketches of Ancient and Modern Pugilism. Three Volumes.

London: W.M. Clark, & G. Virtue, 1813-1829 HB. Original bindings with leather spines and corners, over marbled boards; gilt titles, decorations and raised bands to spines. H: 22cm. Volume 1: undated with no publisher given, but subtitled: From the Days of the Renowned Figg and Broughton, to the Time of the Gallant Tom Cribb. Including a Complete History of the Prize Ring from the Year 1791 to 1813. 497pp. With engraved pictorial short title page, followed by main title page then 20 engraved plates, mostly of famous pugilists, before text. Volume 2: Titled: Boxiana; or Sketches of Modern Pugilism, during the Championship of Cribb...in Two Volumes Vol.II. Dedicated to the Earl of Yarmouth. Published by WM Clark, no date. 580pp. With 6 engraved portraits of pugilists, as called for. Volume 3: Titled: Boxiana; or Sketches of Modern Pugilism, during the Championship of Cribb, to Spring's Challenge to All England..In Three Volumes, Volume III..dedicated to the Marquis of Worcester. Published by G.Virtue, 1829. 640pp, with 7 engraved plates as called for. It appears that the second and third volumes appeared after gaps of some years, (and a change of publisher) and the title changed to include the 'Championship of Cribb' in the last two volumes- hence the potentially confusing reference in Vol.2 to these being in 'two volumes'. History of bare-knuckle prize fighting, but also a social history of that era. Condition details: Volume 1 is Fair, Volumes 2 and 3 are Good. The covers are very worn, and volume 1 requires rebinding, as the covers have detached (though the pages are good and held together). Vols 2 and 3 have splits to the hinges though the bindings are sound. Covers are generally very rubbed and scuffed with fraying and tears to the ends, some loss to top of spine of Vol.2. Most pages and plates are clean, though there are occasional grubby handling marks, and spotting, and the plate margins of Vol.1 are browned and stained with some tears. Vols 2 and 3 have browning & spotting to plate margins, and some pages are tanned generally- perhaps varying paper quality.