Blacker's Art of Fly Making, &c. … with Engravings of Salmon & Trout Flies.
London: Blacker of 54, Dean St., Soho, 1855.
Third edition, "Rewritten & revised by the author", later issue with three inserted pages of reviews. With engraved frontispiece and title, seventeen fine hand-colored plates, and three in black and white. [i-iv], v-xi, [xii], 1-259 pp. 1 vols. Sm 8vo (158 x 98 mm.). Original green cloth, spine tooling with foliate device. A few plate leaves somewhat short at bottom margin (not affecting plates). Fine. In solander box Westwood & Satchell, pp. 32-33; Heckscher 203. Item #220775
Best edition of an important and much sought-after volume, an expanded version of two smaller editions, the first published in 1842; the plates are remarkable, and of great delicate beauty. Blacker was a fishing tackle maker. Westwood & Satchell: "The work is a strange medley of practical usefulness and rhapsodical extravagance. The instructions for fly-making are peculiarly precise and clear". And, we might add, the hand-colored plates are utterly delightful.
One of the key mid-nineteenth century angling books, a nice copy.
Price: $3,000.00 Free International Delivery
