James Cummins Bookseller

Ferozepore: Muir Printing Works, 1929-30.

First editions, all published. 29; 31 pp. 1 vols. Square 8vo. Pigsticking in the Punjab, 1929-30. Brown cloth, morocco spine label preserving printed wrappers. Signed by the compiler on front wrapper of 1929 volume. Bookplate and binding with monogram CC. Fine Not in OCLC. Item #313005

Printed record of the organized pig hunting seasons of the Ferozepore Tent Club. Ferozepore is located on the Sutlej Rivier in Punjab.
The compiler of the 1929 Log Book, Major K.M. Agnew, notes that this was the first formal season of the Club, whose membership comprised 16 to 19 officers, with four to ten “spears” typically in attendance at the hunts. Brigadier Ivan Urmston Battye (1875-1953), a member of the numerous Battye family of soldiers, was stationed in Ferozepore 1927-1930, and was a regular at meets. As for example, from the hunt at Jogewala, 6 March 1930:
“a big boar broke and was hunted to thick cover near the railway. Here in a sharp jinking hunt Battye speared; he then disappeared into thickish cover. Battye went forward onto the Railway embankment and viewed him about a mile ahead. Only Battye got on terms and ran him to a place near Shah Din Wala where he got in two more heavy spears. …”

The log books record location, attendance, and the bag, with other comments. One of these suggests the extent of Gandhi’s Civil Disobedience movement in the spring of 1930, which promoted resistance to buying foreign made clothing and refusal to pay salt tax: even in the North West, Gandhi’s campaign was felt. The account of the Easter Meet at Hissar notes: “We are opening up new country this Season and expect at a later date to hunt at Hissar and Sirsa. (This was not realised owing to Mr. Gandhi.)” Under the entry for April 27th appears a laconic sentence: “Owing to civil disturbances it is unlikely that there will be a meet in the near future.” No further fixtures are recorded until 10th August; and a note there recording that because of declining attendance, “it was decided by Brigadier Battye and the Secretary to stop running pigsticking as an organised Tent Club, and waive fines etc just covering expenses and no more.” These two volumes are all that was published.
UNRECORDED.

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