Modern Development of the Dry Fly. The New Dry Fly Patterns, The Manipulation of Dressing Them and Practical Experiences of Their Use. Edition De Luxe, Limited to 50 Copies

NewYork. E.P. Dutton and Company. 1910. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine. 4to. 28cm, in 2 volumes,viii,219p., v2. (being 9 recessed plates), with photogravure frontis portrait of Edgar Williamson & 9 colour chromo-lithographic plates of fishing flies, 18 plates of colour charts, 16 photogravures of fish and fishing spots on india paper mounted, 22 text illustrations, printed on fine quality Whatman laid paper; volume two; with 33 actual fishing flies displayed in recessed compartments on 9 heavy board mounts. complete with half-titles, titles printed in red and black, bound in half maroon calf,blind ruled raised bands, gilt titles and gilt flora devices in the panels, maroon red cloth boards, marbled end papers, some slight wear on the edges of the board corners, (touched up), top edges gilt, a very good to fine set. (ds1) First Edition, edition de luxe, limited to 50 numbered copies, this being #9, signed by the author, A total of 125copies of this de luxe edition were produced including 50 for sale in the United States and 75 for sale in the British Empire. Volume two contains 33 specimens of actual flies, tied by Hardy Brothers and, or, C.Farlow's according to the author's very specific instructions, with careful attention paid to the colour and form of each fly. The book was aimed at those who fished the chalk streams of southern England but its larger message was that artificial flies should match their living counterparts as closely as possible. This was understood to apply around the work. This dictum, together with the author's skills in conveying the joys and tribulations of fishing have combined to produce a work that is much in demand today. Litchfield 73. - Halford was the high priest of dry fly fishing.