Sir W. Jardine : British Salmonidae : Ltd Edition 1979 : Huge Book : Salmon

British Salmonidae

By Sir. W. Jardine

London: Decimus, 1979. Facsimile Edition limited to 500 numbered copies, of which this is number 367. Very large book in slipcase (63cm x 47.5cm). 28 pages. Four page essay 'Sir William Jardine and the British Salmonidae' by Alwyne Wheeler, Curator of European fishes at the British Museum (Natural History), laid in. With 12 wonderful colour plates. Quarter dark brown leather, green cloth, leather label to front board, gilt lettering and decorative rules, green cloth slipcase, leather label to front board, gilt lettering and decorative rules. Paintings by Jardine, engraved by William Lazars, who engraved the early sets of Audubon's Birds.

Sir William Jardine, perhaps best known for his Naturalist's Library series, was also an ardent angler, and became the leading authority on salmon and trout in the British Isles. An excellent sportsman, his preeminent knowledge of the species was intimate and personal, and his expertise in the field was so noted that in 1860 he was appointed to the Royal Commission on the Salmon Fisheries of England and Wales. Jardine's estates were located in the fertile fishing areas near the rivers Annan and Tweed, placing him in a perfect position geographically to explore his fascination with salmon and trout. His independent research, and artistic inclinations, culminated in the finest and most comprehensive monograph on these fish ever produced in the British Isles, and perhaps in the world, 'British Salmonidae'. The magnificent, large-scale plates of the British Salmonidae included four of the salmon at various stages of its development, four of the sea-trout, one of the ferox, two of the brown trout, and one of the vendace. No artist better captured the sport of salmon and trout fishing, nor the appearance of the species themselves. For this reason, since the first appearance of Jardine's work 150 years ago, it has fascinated biologists, fishermen, and art collectors alike.

CONDITION
A very good clean copy throughout. The slipcase is very good with no slitting tears or marks. The book itself is in very good condition throughout. Overall a fine copy. See images.