Fisher, P(etrus! = William Andrew Chatto). The Angler’s Souvenir. Assisted by several eminent Piscatory Characters. With

31  copperplates

by Henry Beckwith and Topham. London, Henry G. Bohn, 1845. Sm. 8vo. Engraved title, X, 192 pp. Contemp. calf by Hersant on 4 ribs with book-plate, double gilt lines and cornerfleurons, blindstamped line, gilt standing edges, blindstamped inside border, and marbled fly leaves. Gilt edges.

BMC LXXIII, 702 (differing as published 1835 in accordance with the same date mentioned in dedication and foreword here); Westwood, p. 93 ( “The work is clever and caustic, and contains a critique of several of the angling books of the day” ). – Not in Schwerdt who possessed only Chatto’s song The Old English Squire (I, 70) published under another pseudonym. – The faded binding somewhat rubbed. The plates partly a little foxed except for a few, i. a. title and dedication, which have been struck more badly. The text, printed on especially strong paper, only just slightly touched on pages vis-à-vis of plates.

With rich varying borders in wood engraving. – Besides an angling scenery the plates mostly show fish, utensils, and flies. – In London since 1830, later also working in New York, Beckwith is known “by fine animal pieces after Landseer” (Thieme-Becker).

The preface dedicated to Fisher’s brother Jim honouring also the contributions of mutual friends. So e. g. “… Mich. Routledge … an excellent fly-fisher and poacher, has furnished – orally, for he cannot write – some ‘valuable information’”. Otherwise containing characteristics of anglers, descriptions of the importend fish districts in the Scottish lakes, the Thames, and other rivers, fishing adventures plus extensive remarks on equipment and fish species (92 pp.). And thus in its contents as plentiful as in its outward appearance

Offer no. 12,545 / EUR  660. / Export price EUR  627. (c. US$ 1016.) + shipping

“ That would be great! I will send out a check tomorrow for … Followed by a payment in July then one in August. Thank you for your flexability. Kindest Regards ”

(Mr. L. A. F., June 22, 2004)