THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 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

LARGE PAPER copy of the second of John Major's important editions of Complete Angler. With 2 engraved portraits, 2 copper engraved plates of music, 10 copper plates engraved by Cook and Pye after drawings by Wale and Nash, and 77 woodcuts in the text. Large 8vo, in a very handsome antique binding of full calf, the upper cover with a large gilt emblem of Antiquarian William Boyne (1814-1893) and ruled in gilt, the spine extensively gilt decorated in a flower and vine motif within gilt-ruled compartments separated by gilt-hatched raised bands, additional gilt tooling at the head and tale, two compartments with contrasting red and brown morocco labels gilt lettered, turn-ins and board edges gilt tooled, marbled endpaper and page edges. lviii, 416pp. A very handsome copy, the text is very fresh and clean with only light hints of the foxing that typically is found, the period binding is strong and sturdy and very attactive with just a bit of wear to the tips and corners.

Edizione: john major's superb illustrated edition of walton's complete angler, but for an improved and larger frontispiece portrait, a minor reordering of the preliminary material, and a slight change to the notes, this is otherwise an exact reprint of the first major edition printed the previous year.<br> the complete angler is a great sporting book, and one of the most treasured works in the english language. walton's angler has been described as "full of wisdom, kindly humour, and charity; it is one of the most delightful and care-dispelling books in the language." "more than most authors he lives in his writings, which are the pure expression of a kind, humorous and pious soul in love with nature, while the expression itself is unique for apparent simplicity which is really elaborately studied art" (dnb).