London: William Pickering, 1836. First Thus. First Nicolas edition (true first published in 1653). Two large octavo volumes finely bound by Zaehnsdorf in three quarters crushed morocco with gilt to spines. All edges brightly gilt. Marbled endpapers. Collating [16], ccxii, [6], 129, [1, blank]; [4], 131-436, [32]: complete, including frontis and 14 plates. Vignette illustrations throughout. Bookplate of Christopher Clark Geest to front pastedowns of each; ink signature of Marion Reilly to front endpaper of first volume. Near Fine, with minor scuffs to extremities and occasional light foxing. Title-pages printed in red and black. An extremely handsome copy.

Walton’s famous pastoral work on fishing, The Compleat Angler, is combined here with additions by Robert Venables and Charles Cotton on the art of fly fishing in particular. Walton, the son of innkeepers, moved to London to become an ironmonger but would spend the last forty years of his life collecting information and writing on fishing. The book was first published in 1653 but re-released in numerous editions both due to its popularity and Walton’s propensity to revise and contribute more chapters to it. It has stayed in print since it was first published and is noted for its well observed descriptions of English country life. “The Compleat Angler has something in common with 'Lady Chatterley’s Lover:' while many know the title, few have actually read it. Yet it’s the most frequently reprinted book in the English language after the Bible” (The Guardian).

Coigney 44. Horne 43. Oliver 41. Near Fine (Item #5574)