Hutchison, D.C. – Boxing

Description

Hutchinson, D.C. ‘Boxing’ 1923 120-page reissue in good condition in green cloth with a scarce good- condition non-price clipped complete dust jacket. $45.00 Instructional. Contents: Early Practice and the Simple Blows, Straight Left, Right Hook, and Combinations, Advanced Blows and Counters and Fancy Blows. Ring Tactics, Feinting, Side-Stepping, Clinching, covering Up, Stalling, Foul Tactic. Training., and Appendix. Good in Good- dust jacket. Another 1938 120-page hardcover in grey colored cloth in good+ condition with no dust jacket for $30.00

Boxing by D.C. Hutchison (originally published in 1913 and frequently reissued by publishers like Macmillan throughout the 1920s and 1930s) is a classic, practical 120-page instructional guide focusing on turn-of-the-century “Scientific Boxing.” Written from Hutchison’s personal experience as an amateur boxer and coach, the book was specifically tailored for men boxing for sport, physical culture, and exercise rather than professional prizefighting.

Core Structure & Content:
The manual breaks down the fundamental mechanics of the sport across three primary pillars:
• The Fundamentals of Offense: The opening chapters cover basic stances and simple blows, progressing step-by-step from the straight left and right hook into fluid combination punches, advanced counters, and specialized “fancy blows.”
• Ring Tactics & Defense: Hutchison focuses heavily on the intellectual side of the “manly art,” providing tactical instruction on feinting, side-stepping, clinching, covering up, and stalling. It explicitly teaches the reader how to out-think an opponent rather than relying purely on brute force. It also includes an important section warning against “foul tactics.”
• Conditioning & Training: The final section focuses on building athletic stamina. It outlines precise physical regimens to help amateurs reach peak condition while strictly warning against the dangers of over-training or going “stale.”

Key Feature:
The book is highly regarded by sports historians for its 36 hand-drawn instructional figures. These illustrations clearly map out the precise posture, approved body positions, guards, and angles of delivery that defined the classic, disciplined amateur boxing style of the Edwardian era.