The Arc - The Grand History of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe by Arthur FitzGerald

Price: £250

"The perfect marriage between brilliant text and outstanding production. A limited edition of unlimited delight."
Sir Peter O'Sullevan C.B.E.

"This is no ordinary book ... It is a work of art."
Tony Morris, The Racing Post

The Grand History of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a remarkable leather-bound limited-edition book, and a milestone in racing publishing. This large-format, exquisitely printed 400-page volume recounts, for the first time, the running of every Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe from its inauguration in 1920 through to the race of 1997.

Every copy in the edition is personally signed by Monsieur Jean Romanet and by Arthur FitzGerald. The superb production and unrivalled content of The Arc guarantee that it becomes the cornerstone of every racing enthusiast's library.

"Exquisite is the only way to describe Genesis Publications' mighty tome ... A wonderful book, whose limited availability will surely make it a valuable commodity in the years ahead."
Andrew Ayres, Raceform Update

"This is not just another racing book, but a serious work of scholarship, stunningly produced and containing the sort of minutiae in which real followers of racing form love to indulge themselves."
Jeremy Deedes, The Daily Telegraph

The Arc is illustrated throughout with more than 250 photographs, both in colour and monochrome, many previously unpublished. The illustrations include many rare images reproduced from original antique glass plates (plaques verres) held in Paris, and paintings reproduced from the walls of France Galop, the Headquarters of French Racing.

The Arc is published in association with France Galop whose archives have been specially opened to Arthur FitzGerald and Genesis Publications for this extensive three-year project. The book features an Introduction by Monsieur Jean Romanet, and a Foreword by Monsieur Jean-Luc Lagardère.

Acknowledged as the most prestigious thoroughbred race in the world, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe always attracts the champions of Europe, and very often classic winners from North and South America, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Many have gone on to become outstanding sires and broodmares, whose influence has been felt around the world.

Painstakingly researched, The Arc presents the definitive history of the race and evocatively captures the ambience of the Arc weekend. Every aspect of this illustrious race is recounted through the diligently researched text (which runs to over 350,000 words) and the exceptional photographs - the runners and their prospects, the action of the race, the personalities involved and the eventual outcome. A comprehensive results section further details the statistics of each race, and a five-generation pedigree of every winner is included.

Master-printed to the very highest standards, The Grand History of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is strictly limited to 2,000 signed and numbered copies worldwide; the printing plates being destroyed after production to render further editions impossible.
Already acclaimed as the definitive history of this great race, The Arc is also a work of art; the supreme example of the print-maker and bookbinder's skill. Each copy is individually crafted in rich red quarter leather, with gilt tooling and gilded page edges, and is housed in a handsome slipcase.
The Arc is printed in black and sepia throughout onto large format (340 x 240mm) 120gsm acid-free paper, with additional colour sections.

LINKS National Sporting Library