The Complete Angler of Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton: Extensively Embellished with Engravings on Copper and Wood, from Original Paintings and Drawings, by First-Rate Artists

Description

~FULL TITLE: The Complete Angler of Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton: Extensively Embellished with Engravings on Copper and Wood, from Original Paintings and Drawings, by First-Rate Artists. To which are added, An Introductory Essay; The Linnaean Arrangement of the Various River-Fish Delineated in the Work; and Illustrated Notes ~Original full tan calf boards, bordered with double gilt fillets. Gilt decor to board edges. Rebacked in near matching tan calf; raised bands, ornate gilt decor, and two black gilt labels to spine. Discreet repairs to board corners. 8vo (10.3 x 17cm). Replacement endpapers & blank endpages. Rebinder’s stamp to replacement blank front endpage: ‘Repr by Stoakley, Cambridge’. Pencil bibliographic annot to inside front board; humorous pencil inscription to rear free endpaper (quote from 1893 National Observer: ‘ Good, kind old soul was Walton, but could you have trusted him with a baby, for instance, if some one had told him that a bit of baby was a capital bait for barbel?’). Pencil annot to replacement blank front endpage: an exchange of commedatory verses between John Major (the editor and publisher) and the poet Bernard Barton (see Lucas, Bernard Barton and his Friends, p. 185). Owner’s signature in old hand to remaining original blank front endpage. 14 full page engraved copper plates (inc. 2 frontis portraits and 2 musical scores) by Cook and Pye after drawings by Wale and Nash; 77 in-text woodcuts. First John Major edition: the ‘most famous publication’ (ODNB) of this noted early 19th century bookseller and friend of Dibdin. Major also wrote the introductory essay; the notes were edited by Richard Thomson (1794-1865), librarian and antiquary. Major’s lavishly illustrated edition raised Walton’s much-loved work to new heights of popularity. ~Robust packaging. All UK orders with tracking, overseas orders on request. Used books are exempt from USA tariffs.