Philadelphia: David McKay Co., [1931]. First American trade edition. Quarto (9 7/16 x 7 3/16 inches; 239 x 183 mm.). Collating 223, (1). Publishers dark blue ribbed cloth over boards, front cover and spine decoratively stamped in gilt. Pictorial endpapers, top edge gilt. Twelve color plates, including frontispiece, with captioned tissue guards. Twenty-five black and white illustrations. Title printed in green and black. A very Fine copy with the original color pictorial dust jacket with a 'titled' version of the color plate "Marry, God requite you, sir, and we'll eat it cheerfully" (facing p. 82) on the front panel. Original blue cardboard box with the same color illustration as on the dust jacket pasted on the top panel and a white label "The Compleat Angler / Izaak Walton / Illustrated by Arthur Rackham" on the lower edge. Two corners of box lid neatly repaired.

First published in 1653, Walton's work stands alone as the quintessential work of fishing prose. Combined with Arthur Rackham's exceptional illustrations, The Compleat Angler becomes a visual joy and an ideal gift for aficionados. Produced at a time of ill health for both Rackham and his artist wife Edyth, the book was one of several designed to help reignite interest in his work and generate income for the couple. Its release coincided with several exhibitions of his illustrations in New York. (Item #3716)