ROLAND, George.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

A Treatise on the Theory and Practice of the Art of Fencing, First edition, "remarkable as the first manual of fence to be illustrated by the new method of lithography" (Aylward, p. 227). This attractive copy is from the library of prominent épée swordsman John Norbury, a contestant in the first international open tournament for professionals and amateurs, held at Paris in June 1896; with his imposing wood-engraved bookplate.George Roland (fl. 1809-1862) was the son of Joseph Roland, master of a successful fencing academy in Greek Street, Soho, who also taught at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. George maintained his father's London business until 1820, when he moved to Edinburgh "to fill the vacancy left by the death of Domenico Angelo's brother, John Xavier Tremamondo, in 1805" (ODNB). He was appointed professor of arms at the Scottish Naval and Military Academy. His Treatise proved popular: a second edition was called for in 1824 and an abbreviated version published in two editions in the 1830s as An Introductory Course of Fencing. "The principle upon which George Roland founded his theories was that developed gradually by the leading masters of the past fifty years. It was that of reducing the art to the utmost simplicity, combined with perfect execution of every movement" (Aylward, p. 228).

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