For your consideration is a Rare copy of "The Complete Angler" by Izaak Walton & Charles Cotton, 1859, over 40 detailed illustrations. Publisher Routledge, Warnesk, And Routledge, Farringdon Street London; 56, Walker Street, New York . Edited by "Ephemera, Of Bell's Life In London." 'Ephemera', is a pseudonym for Edward Fitzgibbon (1803-1857), an Irish writer who devoted most of his life to fishing, and wrote a series of pieces on angling for 'Bell's Life in London'. "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 black clothbound gold gilt is in good overall condition. Gold gilt titling on the spine is clear and bright. Cover edges show slight scuffing. Intact pages have gilt edges, exhibit age tanning and foxing throughout, first page of second part has a slight tear at top, no other obvious marring noted. Measures 5"W x 7.5"L x .75"D