Used A Quaint Treatise on Flies and Fly Making by an Old Fisherman by WH Aldam
For sale is A Quaint Treatise on Flies and Fly Making by an Old Fisherman by WH Aldam. There are 25 actual specimens of flies and fly making material in 22 oval mounts, some foxing to the text and occasionally to the mounts, the flies and fly making material are all present with the original seals and in good condition. To the front-end paper, a large presentation inscription on card laid down on the end paper to "W.Rhys Williams M.D" noting his friendship of 15 years to "Georg H. Haydon" 17th June 1878, written in black and red ink. Within a well-drawn ink border of rushes above a trout and fishing basket. Angling bookplate to paste down of J. Hammick . Original green cloth binding with title and fish vignette in gilt to the upper cover within a background of black blind stamped rushes and mayflies, within surrounded by a black lines border with lily pads and fish decorations, gilt title to spine with 2 gilt mayflies. Rubbing to the head and tail of the spine and outer corners no splits or damage often found with this title. A bright copy in the original state of a beautifully produced book. "Printed from an old ms. never before published, the original spelling and language being retained, with editorial notes and patterns of flies, and samples of the materials for making each fly. By W.H. Aldam", this is the first book to use actual fly-tying materials and flies; it is said approx. 220 copies were produced. The first issue was dated 1875 on the title page only a few copies were produced, this copy being the 2nd issue.