The Complete Angler. Or, the Contemplative Man's Recreation - Izaak Walton, Charles Cotton, Edward Jesse (editor) 1861 - Henry G. Bohn, London - The Second Jesse Edition A finely bound copy of one of the most profusely illustrated editions, the second to be edited by Edward Jesse. According to Oliver, ‘this edition has been criticized as having been somewhat too fully annotated and illustrated, but the illustrations, in our opinion, add as much to the charm of the book, as the notes do to its interest’.

‘Indeed, my good scholar, we may say of angling, as Dr. Boteler said of strawberries,
" Doubtless God could have made a better berry, but doubtless God never did ";
and so, if I might be judge, God never did make a more calm, quiet, innocent recreation than angling
.’

The most enduring distinction of the
Complete Angler is the one cast off by its subtitle The Contemplative Man's Recreation with its graceful evocations of a life free from hurly-burly in the company of friends intent on physical and moral sustenance. The range of perspectives that Walton brings to bear on his rural descriptions embrace literature, poetry, music and anecdote.
  203 wood engravings, together with two engraved plates by Robinson after Huysman and Lely. The wood engravings are by Huysman, Archer, Lombart, Absolon, Jansen, Cooper, Wood, Lyvyus, Creswick, Lely, Balmer, Bentley, Meadows, Harvey, Bewick, Prior, W. F. Smith, Chantrey, Beckwith, Holland, Salter, Sambourne, Foster, Gilbert, Cruikshank, Hilditch, Jardine, Lance, Lee, Fussell, Carpenter, Crowquill, Farlow, Gumpertz, and Rennie; engraved by M. & J. Jackson, Landells, Bewick, Vizetelly, Gilkes, Orrin Smith, Topham, Thompson, Wragg, Whymper, Vasey, Tol- frey, Lizars, Linton, Branston, Robinson, Archer, Collard, Willmore, Griffiths, Vosterman, Henshaw, Godden, Davis, and Radcliffe.

With additional Fishing papers by Henry G, Bohn.

Reference: Oliver,
A new chronicle of The Compleat Angler, 76.

Octavo (binding size 18.2x12.2cm), pp. [2] xix [1] 496 [1 (list of fishing-tackle makers)] [3].
  Bound by Bayntun-Riviere in full light brown morocco, covers with a gilt fillet border, spine lettered in gilt on dark brown leather labels, emblematic centre tools, hand-marbled endpapers, all edges gilt   Condition: Fine   Ref: 109918   Price: HK$ 9,500