Fearing. — An Angling Library 59 



undoubtedly the greatest living authority on Walton, has 

 been most interested in this previously unknown edition, 

 and in "The Fishing Gazette" of Dec. 30, 1911, he jok- 

 ingly refers to it as follows: "So angling collectors, 

 since you now know it, don't part with your copy of 

 Walton by Prowett. Oh, Prowett! if you were now 

 within hearing, you'd tell us, no doubt, you just made 

 one for Fearing." This little volume, of course, after 

 the "First Five" is one of the chief treasures of the 

 library. 



Scarce and interesting copies of Walton, some of 

 which are indeed unique, are also to be found in the col- 

 lection, a few of which have been mentioned on account 

 of their rarity or interest as being unique copies. The 

 copy of the first John Hawkins edition of 1760 is abso- 

 lutely uncut and is in original or contemporary binding. 

 It is the only copy in this condition of which the owner 

 has seen or heard. 



The first Major edition, London, 1823, is a large paper 

 copy with the prints on India paper. This copy be- 

 longed to Bedford, the celebrated binder, was bound by 

 him, and contains an autograph letter presenting it to 

 him from John Major, the publisher. 



Thomas Westwood in "Bibliotheca Piscatoria" speak- 

 ing of this edition says: "The editor was Mr. A. Thom- 

 son, author of the 'Chronicles of London Bridge,' 1827, 

 but the 'Introductory Essay,' a farrago of twaddle, was 

 written by Major himself." 



In 1833 was published "The First Rennie Edition," 

 edited by James Rennie, A. M. This edition was re- 

 printed without change by some twenty-five different 

 publishers at various dates from 1834 to 1857. All but 

 eight of these reprints are in the collection. 



The year 1836 brought out the celebrated, so-called 

 "Pickering Edition," two large 8vo, volumes printed by 

 William Pickering, and edited by Sir Harry Nicholas. 

 This was issued in two editions, one with plain plates, 

 and one on large paper with the plates on India paper. 

 The latter is the edition usually chosen by extra-illus- 



