The Rare First
The Art of Angling Improved, in all its parts, Especially Fly-Fishing: Containing A particular Account of the several Sorts of Fresh-Water Fish, with their most proper Baits. Also The Names, Colors, and Seasons of all the most Useful Flies. With Directions for Making each Fly.
Worcester: Printed by M. Olivers, [ca. 1747].
Price: $7,500.00
About the item
First edition. Printer's ornaments at beginning and end of text. [4], 95 pp. 1 vols. Small 8vo. The Rare First. Contemporary panelled calf, neatly recased, some worming. Signed "E. Elisha Shrewsbury" on title page and inked below printed author name "of Ludlow Shropshire." Laid into a full brown slipcase and chemise by Macdonald. Westwood/Satchell, p. 39: "The first edition appeared in the name of Richard Bowlker, the father, but in the second, printed by Baskerville, Charles Bowlker seems to lay claim to the work. He says, in the preface, 'I have been a practitioner in this art near 26 years, and according to my practice and experience, have contrived, considered, and fitted this for publication' ... [Charles] was considered the most finished fly-fisher of his day." Heckscher 251: "Rare." Sage Catalogue, p. 41: 'Very scarce." Gingrich Fishing in Print, pp. 69-74; ESTC T112413.
Item #240579
Westwood & Satchell note that although only Richard Bowlker's name appears in the first edition, in the second, his son Charles seems to lay claim to the work. At his death in 1779, Charles "was considered the most finished fly-fisher of his day." The work went into many editions. This, the first, is a rare book indeed.
