Houghton, Rev. W. [and A. F. Lydon, Illus.].
British Fresh-Water Fishes
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Seller ID: 1884 London: William Mackenzie, n.d., but 1879. First edition, two volumes (pp. xxvi, 92; 93- 204). Large folio (37 cm) in reddish-brown crushed morocco, fine decorative gilt figures, titles, and decorations; a.e.g. Illustrated with forty-one fine full-page chromolithograph portraits of each species by Lydon who also produced the series of equally fine steel engravings of piscatorial scenery to serve as chapter heads, e.g., ‘On the Thames, near Roebuck Inn’. Each species is described systematically in the general form: nomenclature, citations from the literature, fish’s appearance, habits, culinary value, etc. The twenty-six page introduction, dated 1879, is a generalized description in scientific terms of fishes’ physiology, behaviour, etc. The Rev. Houghton, MA, FLS, contributed the text of this quite lovely work, a text which seems lightly edited in places as witness several full folio pages with but a line or two of text. In fact, the real glory is Lydon’s delicate and subtle engravings which may have led to text and plates parting company from time to time. Our copy is blind-stamped ‘Ardmamona, Loch Esk, Co. Donegal’ and is likely from the library of Mr. Thomas Brooke, of the Castle, Lough Esk, who furnished Houghton specimens of Cole’s Charr (Salmo colii), a debt acknowledged in Houghton’s preface. Bottom edges worn, otherwise a clean, bright copy of a most attractive work on fresh-water fishes. Nearly Fine. Price: $2000.00     
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