Boy Scout Tests and how to pass them. Complete Instruction in all the Tests [Sixth Edition, considerably revised and enlarged]. THE SCOUTING 'BADGE BIBLE' by R.E. YOUNG - 1938

Brown, Son & Ferguson, Glasgow,, 1938. 8vo., with very numerous illustrations in the text, text mildly browned at edges; original pictorial wrappers blocked and lettered in black, a remarkably bright, clean copy of a fragile work. Complete with trade and scouting advertisements. First published in 1911, 'Boy Scout Tests' is arguably the most important early Scout manual after Baden-Powell's own 'Scouting for Boys'. It was compiled by Young in close association with B-P himself, who in these formative years of the Movement was personally responsible for creating badges and defining the knowledge and abilities required to attain them. The work was continually updated and reissued in parallel with the growing range of badges. Robert E Young was a leading figure in the formation of scouting. Prior to B-P's pioneering camp at Brownsea in 1907, 'Boss' Young had formed the 'Cadets Winter Recreation Training Club' from members of the Glasgow Battalion of the Army Cadet Force. Much influenced by B-P's experiment he immediately transformed his club into the 1st Glasgow Troop, registered at Boy Scouts HQ on 26 January 1908 and widely believed to be the first formal troop in the country. Young was County Commissioner for Glasgow from around 1911 to 1927 when he became a member of the Boy Scout Scottish Headquarters Executive Committee. He continued to run 1st Glasgow until his death in 1940. His other scouting titles include '1st Class Tests and how to pass them' (1917-1958) and 'First Steps in Scouting' (1919-1948). Early editions are now scarce, especially in anything like this condition.