For your consideration is a Rare copy of "The Complete Angler" by Izaak Walton & Charles Cotton, 1856, over 40 detailed illustrations. Publisher Henry G. Bohn York Street, Covent Garden, London. Edited by Edward Jesse, Esq. "The Complete Angler" was an important and extremely popular game and hunting book from 1653. Walton sought to celebrate the everyday fisherman and hunter, providing tips, tricks, and first-hand observations on fishing, and hunting through the lens of a conversation between two fictional anglers. "The Complete Angler Or The Contemplative Man's Recreation" is Izaak Walton's best known work. Izaak Walton (1593-1683) was an English writer, who wrote books on fishing as well as a short biography about his friend John Donne. The book was edited and expanded by Walton for over a quarter of a century. Charles Cotton (1630-1687) was an English poet and writer, as well as a close friend to Walton. Cotton made a cipher combining his initials with Walton's, and it was placed over the door of his fishing cottage near Hartington. The work is a celebration of fishing through prose and verse. This English classic is known, at least by name, to nearly everyone. Is it a textbook on fishing? Yes, but it is much more than that. Written as a dialog between the Angler and various country folk such as shepherds, farmers and milkmaids, the instructions on catching fish are interspersed with a delightful hodge-podge of rural anecdotes, character studies, moral lessons, recipes, songs and poetry. The practice of angling is portrayed as practically the perfect occupation, teachings as it does the skills of reasoning and observation of Nature together with the virtues of patience and harmony. This green cloth bound gold gilt stamped illustrated hardcover is in fair to good overall condition. Gold gilt titling on the spine is clear and bright. Cover fading and scuffing, spine detached at front board. Intact pages exhibit age tanning and foxing throughout, no other obvious marring noted. Measures 4.625"W x 7.375"L x 1.25"D, weight 1lb, 2oz.