HOPE, W[illiam]. The Compleat Fencing-Master: In which is fully Described the whole Guards, Parades and Lessons, Belonging to the Small-sword…Second Edition. 8vo. pp. 11 p.l., 197 [i.e. 167], [17]. 12 folding engraved plates. contemporary calf (small surface abrasions on rear cover, title fore-margin cut into with loss of a letter on 4 lines & 2 letters on 1 line of imprint, light dampstain to lower outer corner of some leaves & plates, but overall a very good copy). London: Printed for Dorman Newman, 1692.                                                                                                                             $8500

     Second Edition, a reissue of the first of 1691 with cancel title, of this early English fencing manual. Apparently the text is essentially the same as the author’sope’st The Scots Fencing-Master which was published at Edinburgh in 1687. Hope’s work was a basic instructional guide to Small-sword fencing in the new French style, which had replaced the former Rapier or Italian technique. The rapier, which was wide and heavy, was replaced about 1550 by the very thin and light small-sword. This resulted in more reliance on thrusts as opposed to edge-blows, creating a back and forth motion and emphasizing the importance of speed. This is essentially the technique of modern fencing. The charming plates illustrate various positions.

     Wing H2712. Thimm p. 86.