The Bibliography of IZAAK WALTON'S COMPLEAT ANGLER BY THOMAS SATCHELL. (An excerpt from the "Bibliotheca Piscatoria," of Westwood and Satchell, LONDON: 1882. THE BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE COMPLEAT ANGLER. Walton (Izaak.) The compleat angler or the contemplative man's recreation. Being a discourse of fish and fishing, not unworthy the perusal of most anglers. Simon Peter said, I go a fishing and they said, we also wil go with thee. John 21. 3. London, printed by T. Maxey for Rich. Marriot, in S. Dunstans Church-yard, Fleet-street, 1653. 8°. [Collation: A-R 3 in eights; or pp. xvi. 246. The first sentence of the title is engraved on scroll, with dolphins above and below, and clusters of fish pendant on either side. Very neat engravings of the trout, pike, carp, tench, perch, and barbel are inserted in the text. The engraver is unknown, but Pierre Lombart, a noted Frenchman then resident in this country and engaged in illustrating books, and also Faithorne and Vaughan are possible candidates for the honour. We know that the last mentioned was employed by Marriot on other work. These plates which are said, with little probability, to have been of silver, served for the first four editions, and were re-engraved in reverse, by a less artistic hand, for the fifth impression, a circumstance which has escaped notice. "The compleat angler" was published in the beginning of the month of May and the first trace of its existence is found in an advertisement on the last page (2716) of no. 179 of "The Perfect Diurnal... From Munday May 9 to Munday May 16, 1652," [1653]. There are five book advertisements, and one of the loss of two geldings, in this number. The second as follows: "The compleat angler, or the Contemplative man's Recreation, being a Discourse of Fish and Fishing, not unworthy the perusal of most Anglers, of 18 pence price. Written by Iz. Wa. Also the known play of the Spanish Gipsee, never till now published. Both printed for Richard Marriot, to be sold at his shop in Saint Dunstans Churchyard, Fleet street." Another advertisement, beginning "There is newly extant, a Book of 18d. price, called the Compleat angler, etc," is found at the foot of the last page (1470) of no. 154 of the "Mercurius Politicus... From Thursday, May 19 to Thursday May 26, 1653." The "Epistle dedicatory," addressed "To the right worshipful John Offley of Madeley Manor in the County of Stafford, Esq." is signed "Iz. Wa.," and the author's name does not appear on the title-page before the edition of 1676. The commendatory verses in the second edition are, however, inscribed to "Mr. Izaak Walton." A fine and perfect copy of the first edition, estimated by Dr. Bethune in 1847 at twelve guineas, is now worth £50 to £60, an enhancement of value in which the other editions have not participated. This advance will probably continue, for the number of collectors has increased and is increasing with whom the rule obtains, "aut Cæsar, aut nullus." A FIRST Walton confers distinction upon its owner. A Second is but a Second, though it may be rarer. If a copy be perfect, its condition somewhat affects its value, but an imperfect copy seeks a market in vain save at a low price. We forbear quoting auction prices. Copies rarely reach the auction room and the prices, at which they may have been occasionally sold there, afford no criterion of their true value.] The compleat angler or the contemplative man's recreation. Being a discourse of rivers, and fish-ponds, and fish, and fishing. Not unworthy the perusal of most anglers. The second edition much enlarged. John 21. 3. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing, they said unto him, we also go with thee. London, printed by T. M. for Rich. Marriot, and are to be sold at his shop in St. Dunstans Church-yard Fleetstreet. 1655. 120. [Collation: A to Q in 12s.; or, pp. xxiv, 355, i (blank), iii (Contents), i (blank.) The engraved scroll is again used on title and to the plates of fish are added the bream, the eel, the loach and the bull-head. The book has almost been rewritten. The interlocutors are three in this edition, Piscator, Auceps, and Venator who takes the place of Viator. Commendatory verses by seven writers are for the first time inserted. The first "To my dear brother-in-law Mr. Izaak Walton" is signed "Jo. Floud, Mr. of Arts;" the next "C. H., Mr. of Arts," that is "Ch. Harvie" as given in 1676; then follow "Tho. Weaver, Mr. of Arts," "Edw. Powel, Master of Arts," "Alex. Brome," "Rob. Floud C.," and "Henry Bayley, Artium Magister."] The compleat angler or the contemplative man's recreation. Being a discourse of rivers, fish-ponds, fish and fishing. To which is added the laws of angling: with a new table of the particulars in this book. The third edition much enlarged. London, printed by J. G. for Rich. Marriot, at his shop in St. Dunstans Church-yard, Fleet-street. 1661. 8°. [Collation: A to s in eights; or pp. xvi, 255, i (blank), vii (The laws of angling), i (blank), viii (Contents and Table). The engraved scroll is again used. The changes in the body of the work are few and unimportant. Brome's commendatory verses are omitted, and the Laws of angling and a Table of contents added. A copy of this edition, once at Chatsworth, formerly belonged to Charles the Second, of "merry memory, who was an angler as Rochester's verses, quoted at p. 178, intimate in an unworthy sneer. It bears the royal autograph: car: Rex," on the engraved title. The Walton entries in the sumptuous catalogue of this library are among the curiosities of bibliographical literature. This particular copy is apparently assigned to the year 1667.] The complete angler, or the contemplative man's recreation. Being a discourse of rivers, fish-ponds, fish and fishing... The third edition much enlarged. London, printed for R. Marriot, and are to be sold by Simon Gape neer the Inner Temple-Gate in Fleet-street. 1664. 8°. [Copies of the 1661 edition with a fresh title-page.] The compleat angler or the contemplative man's recreation. Being a discourse of rivers, fish-ponds, fish, and fishing...The fourth edition, much corrected and enlarged. London, printed for R. Marriot, and are to be sold by Charles Harper, at his shop the next door to the Crown near Sergeants-Inn in Chancery-lane, 1668. 8°. [Collation: a to s in eights; or pp. xvi. 255, i (blank), vii (The laws of angling), i (blank), viii (Contents and Table). A paginary reprint of the preceding edition.] The compleat angler or the contemplative man's recreation. The first part. Part I. Being a discourse of rivers, fish-ponds, fish and fishing. Written by Izaak Walton. The fifth edition much corrected and enlarged. London, printed for Richard Marriott, 1676. 8°. [The scroll has, on this occasion been "worked over," much to its detriment, and "The first part" engraved beneath it. The works of Cotton and Venables, the former in its first, the latter in its fourth impression, were also appended to Walton, and issued under the following collective title :] The universal angler, made so, by three books of fishing. The first by Mr. Izaak Walton; the second by Charles Cotton Esq.; the third by Col. Robert Venables. All which may be bound together, or sold each of them severally. London, printed for Richard Marriott, and sold by most booksellers. 1676. 8°. [The second and third parts have the titles given under the names of their respective authors and each part has a separate register and pagination. The collation of Part one is: A to v3 in eights; or pp. xxiv, 275, vii. (Laws of angling), and ii (Contents). Following the collective is a half-title with a blank space left for the scroll: "Part I. Being a discourse of rivers, fish-ponds, fish and fishing. Written by Izaak Walton. The fifth edition, much corrected and enlarged London, printed for R. Marriot, and are to be sold by Charles Harper |