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Crawhall, Joseph (1821–1896).
The author’s own copy. Heavily extra-illustrated with letters from subscribers - including a letter from Oscar Wilde. The Compleatest Angling Booke That Euer Was Writ, Being Done Oute if Ye Hebrewe and Other Tongues by a Person of Honor.
Publisher: Privately printed for the Author by Andrew Reid, Coquetdale, Northumberland;
Date of Publication: 1881
Stock Code: 11092
Second Edition, Limited to 100 copies only. Quarto, pp. [12], ix- ccxxxiii, [5] plus 13 blank leaves to rear used for mounting letters etc. Extra illustrated large paper proof copy with numerous woodcut illustrations, ornaments, a water-colour, pencil sketches and etchings etc, many of which are hand-coloured, by Crawhall II, Joseph Junior and his friend James Guthrie. Sympathetically and skilfully rebacked in full calf with 5 raised bands, original boards panelled in blind and ornament stamped in black to centre of upper board, twin metal clasps and top edge gilt. Original copper plate of title-page set into the inside of the upper board. With 59 autographed letters from subscribers and recipients of the book tipped-in; vivid water-colour of three trout forming a circle loosely inserted, with “Rough sketch” in Crawhall’s hand to the margin and “Hook’ Em’s Angling Emporium” in the centre. Boards scuffed with minor restoration top edge of lower board. Armorial bookplate of Joseph Crawhall to ffep; Crawhall’s signature to flyleaf with address in Eldon Square and note in his hand: “ This copy contains several of the original drawings- copper plate of title & with letters received from many subscribers to the Book”; his signature is repeated to p. xi with note “ April 1881 proof copy for trials of colour etc”, another date in his hand to the limitation leaf to rear of June 10th 1881, and his signature to compliments leaf to rear: “Signed by me this twelfth day of August 1881”. 1882 catalogue page from Henry Sotheran & Co of Piccadilly tipped-in, with this title at the head of the list, and clipping pasted to flyleaf relating to the sale. Minor scattered light foxing. The correspondence includes a manuscript 4 pp. signed letter from Oscar Wilde addressed from Tite Street, with envelope: “ Dear Mr Crawhall, Your book is delightful- the frontispiece to Isaak Walton particularly so-it is really a marvel how you manage to give us the very flavour of the time- being a fisherman, and a lover of things ancient, I accept it with much pleasure, and as coming from you it will remind me of one of my best friends in the north. With kind regards to your wife and daughter, Truly yours, Oscar Wilde” Other letters include those from Crawhall’s great friend and collaborator Charles Keene, A. W. Tuer, J. W. Pease and John Bartlett of Little, Brown of Boston, Mass., from various other publishers and institutions, and from the British Museum Copyright Division requesting a copy to be sent to them, together with their acceptance receipt. One correspondent wishes to purchase the entire print-run. The letters provide an insight into the breadth of Crawhall’s social circle and business connections as well as the level of contemporary enthusiasm for the second edition of his best known work. The illustrations for this edition were very much a collaborative effort between father and son, as well as James Guthrie, who along with his friend Joseph Crawhall Junior (1861-1913) was one of the Glasgow Boys. At least 6 of the original drawings are by Joseph Crawhall III. Published in 1859 the first printing of Crawhall’s ‘ Angling Booke’ was limited to 40 copies “for friends”and is a legendary rarity among angling collectors. This second edition was published by Crawhall to meet the clamoring demand from his now wider circle of friends and acquaintances.

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