National Rifle Association Meeting at Wimbledon,1871.Programme.

Small book type format (3 1/2x4), original bright red cloth, gilt lettering, metal clasp, cloth holders for pencil, but none present, possibly later dated label on spine (1871), 5 ad, small folding train schedule with image of revolver on the first page, 79, [1], [34], 3 blank, 27 ad pp. Hinges are a bit tender, still reasonably firm, cloth with very minor wear, and actually bright and clean, metal clasp present, but doesn't function, one or two pages with a little creasing, normal aging and browning; otherwise a generally nice bright and clean copy. This a very scarce item that provides the program for a shooting event sponsored by the British National Rifle Association in 1871. The British NRA was founded in 1859, about 12 years before the NRA was established in America. The original focus of the association was to hold shooting competitions, and the first were held at Wimbledon. Queen Victoria fired the first shot at the very first Wimbledon tournament in 1860. Interestingly, the American version of the NRA was founded to improve marksmanship. This little book provides all the rules and regulations for these events, from parading to collecting prizes. There are 34 pages in this book, which are not used, that are for score keeping during the two weeks of the competition. NRA website in the UK.