In the fine contemporary binding
by Hersant
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, blind stamped line, gilt standing edges, blind stamped 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).
“ To all that love us , and the honest art of Angling .
Study to be quiet .
“ ‘As inward lore breeds outward talk,
The hound some praise and some the Hawk:
Some better pleased with private sport,
Use tennis some a Mistress court:
But these delights I neither wish
Nor envy while I freely fish.’ ”
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
splendidly designed
from borders and illustrations up to the binding .
Offer no. 12,545 / EUR 660. / export price EUR 627. (c. US$ 844.) + shipping
„ das Paket kam heute morgen gut behalten hier an. Haben Sie vielen Dank. Das Blatt gefällt mir ausgesprochen gut … “
(Herr A. L., 11. März 2011)