My nephew as been given this book along with some old fishing gear,
he has asked can i find out any info please can you help ?




Claw

I noticed that the spelling is different (Complete) but on my edition it's (Compleat) I know that Complete would be the correct spelling!

Although, most editions I've come across, "The Compleat Angler"

I love reading it; and occasionally dip in and out of the book. Probably my favourite angling book!

You are correct Mostyn; 'Compleat' it certainly was.


MCMXXV translates as '1925' yet John Major's edit is listed as 1864.

The Compleat Angler first published in 1651. Izaak Walton - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Save the softmouth trout

The Compleat Angler which is the spelling in the original publication has been reprinted over 500 times and although being probably the best known angling title is probably one of the lowest priced given the number there are about.

Its a fascinating title and as you say great for dipping in and out of.

Copies of this edition are readily available. They range in price from about £14 for a faded cloth bound version (as in the photo) to nearly £400 for a minty leather bound version.

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Duncan

I'm not sure but I believe that the original was only spelt Compleat on the cover or frontispiece which was an error and elsewhere in the book it is spelt Complete.

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“There is no more lovely country than Monmouthshire in early spring. Nowhere do the larks sing quite so passionately, as if somehow inspired by the Welsh themselves. There is a blackbird on every thorn and a cock chaffinch, a twink as they call him there, on every bush...... It moved me profoundly. I had been spared to see another spring, and I thank God for it.”

Oliver Kite
“A Spring Day on the Usk”
A Fisherman’s Diary

My copy was edited by EPHEMERA published in 1853. To celebrate 200 yrs of the books first edition. Apparantly, this caused some controversy at the time.

Perhaps ephemerella above could remind me of why? Frankly, I can't rem.

I'm not sure about that. Cetainly later editions have 'The Compleat Angler' heading every odd numbered page.

see this free on-line edition: The Compleat Angler, Or the ... - Google Books

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Save the softmouth trout

Can't remember where but I'd heard that same story. I had a flick through a facsimile reprint of the first edition yesterday and whilst the frontispiece had it written as 'compleat', the heading on all the other pages in the book was 'complete'.

According to Charles Thatcher's bibliography he traced 2 of the Navarre editions that were in sold by dealers or in auctions
The first was sold by Sea Books in Christchurch in 2001 for $250. This one was in Japan vellum, had 445pp, 8 etchings and 74 wood engravings
The second was sold by the Heads in Salisbury in 2002 for $215. This one had 3/4 morocco though. Both were in good condition. Sadly this one does not.

Fot your information a 1653 edition was sold for $226,000 at Chrisities in NY in Oct 2001