This first edition hardcover book with debossed gilt lettering was published in 1936 by Vinton & Company, Ltd. and has 473 pages (which includes the following besides the text: 12 pp. ads in the front + preface + 2 pp. of ads + 64 pp. Baily's Hunting Diary + 29 pp. of ads in the rear + 2 fold-out maps. The text has a few scattered markings on moderately toned pages. The top of the spine panel is frayed and chipped. The front joint is loose. The corners are bumped. Ten pages are dteached from the text block and have several small closed tears along the edges. The last 30 pages have some light dampstaining at the bottom corner. THE Fortieth volume of DAILY'S HUNTING DIRECTORY, carefully revised from official sources, includes particulars of 563 Hunts, comprising Foxhound, Harrier, Staghound, Foot Harrier, Beagle, Basset, Otter and Draghound Packs in the British Islands and extending throughout the Empire, to which are added the leading foreign packs and the important Indian and American sections......Changes in the personnel of the Hunts are fairly numerous ; there are not so many Committees, which is all to the good ; and Joint-Masters show an increase, with more Masters carrying the Horn. Hunting generally not only maintains, but in many countries shows an ever-growing popularity, younger followers coming steadily forward to swell the ranks......Farmers, although, in many areas, not hunting in such numbers as formerly, are enthusiastic supporters of the Hunts and Hunting, while the renewed grants for the encouragement of horse-breeding has provided a much-needed stimulus to the breeding of Hunters. Prices are well maintained, and as usual particulars are given in these pages of Hunters sold by public auction at 200 guineas and upwards. Hunter Trials continue their good work and serve a very useful link between breeders and their clients......The Hunt Puppy Shows and the Premier Hound Show reports form interesting and informing studies and would seem to point to an increasing attention to hound breeding. Reports as to the prevalence or otherwise of Distemper is a feature which should be noted in the Hunt Puppy Show reports. The Foxhound Kennel Stud Book, Vol. XXIII, published in June, contains the 1935 entry, totalling 4,668 entries from 171 packs, an increase of 143 entries on the previous year......Hunt Point-to-Point Meetings in 1936 were held under National Hunt Rules, Appendix C, and as usual a Register of the Point-to-Point Winners appears in this volume, also the full results of each Meeting, comprising Races, Placed Horses, Owners, Riders, Number of Starters, etc. N.H. rules, Appendix C, as revised at time of going to press, are also included. At the M.F.H.A. Annual Meeting, held in May, it was decided that the Masters of Hounds Point-to-Point Committee (M.P.C.) should remain in being for another year......Readers will find much to interest them in the encyclopaedic contents of the Directory, which have been thoroughly revised, and comprise a Review of the past Hunting Season ; Reports of the Annual Meetings of the Hunt Associations ; comprehensive particulars with brief Histories of the Hunts of the United Kingdom, Colonial and Foreign Hunts, and American Hunts, mirroring all branches of the sport ; while three Hunt Maps, showing the Home Foxhound Countries (not loaned Countries), locate the various Packs. The Hunting Diary affords a ready means of noting engagements and chronicling the day's sport......We commend a careful perusal of the announcements of our business friends, comprising many of the most famous houses catering for kit and equipment for followers of Hounds and for Sportsmen generally at home and overseas......Revisions of Hunt or other particulars for the next season's edition should be forwarded not later than September 1 in each year, otherwise insertion or revision cannot be guaranteed......We renew our very hearty thanks to all those Masters, Secretaries, and others who have so cordially and promptly co-operated with us in the revision of this volume, and also to all who have contributed to the utility and success of " BAILY'S HUNTING DIRECTORY," at home and abroad. THE EDITOR.