FIRST NEW SUPERBOOK OF

THE NEW YEAR ALREADY. CHAKKAR: POLO AROUND

THE WORLD. 1971 THIS WAS PUBLISHED. HOW WE CAN

BE 54 YEARS LATE TO THE PARTY WE HAVE NO IDEA

BUT TREASURE IT NOW. IT'S ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS

WE HAVE EVER SEEN! 

Yes it is crinkled. The book is a big block of a thing and now it's marbled like a stone tablet - a thing of beauty is what it is. And amazingly rare. If there were another one in the world to buy we would have bought it. Right now - this is it. 

The book was edited and designed by Herbert Spencer. He made Typographica magazine which for type and graphics people is VERY SIGNIFICANT. And the title CHAKKAR is the Indian word from which 'chukker' is derived (being the name given to a duration of play in polo). And that is now quite enough about the ins and outs of the 'sport of kings' because the real delight of this book is the photography inside. 

It is absolutely, completely incredible! This photograph is WORLD CLASS. The guy who is winking is Sandy Harper and he has just scored three goals. Not that the super cool permed Julie Christie lookalike cares - she is too cool for sports with her balloon sleeve, high-neck blouse and cigarette.

Polo is posh and it is global. In Deauville, France for this well observed colour photograph. The book was published in 1971. This photograph could not be more sixties if The Seekers had used it as an album cover.

Just a few minutes' drive from the Champs Elysées. Suddenly Paris looks more British and Martin Parr than Martin himself.

Genuinely documentary this photography. This taken at the Palm Royal Polo Club in Boca Raton, Florida. If this was a still from a movie, we would watch it. Always a great way to judge a photo and, from this book, we would be watching a whole season of films!

The Lahore racetrack in India. Polo was obviously a colonial hallmark - but it is actually one of the world's oldest sports and was invented in Iran. Modern Polo is now considered India's gift to the world.

Yep. Good rhyme and excellent cerulean blue reference.

And finally. She was only tiny on the page but we don't let a tassled poncho at the polo pass us by. 

This book is easily the BEST THING we have found for ages. Everyone should own it but... as previously mentioned... that is just not possible. Make it yours (and only yours) via the green button below.