A BOOK OF SMALL FLIES. Frontispiece by Al Barker.
Arlington, VT: Isaac Oelgart, 1983. First edition, 1/60 copies (this #28). Miniature 8vo (2 7/8 x 2 1/8 inches). 105 pp. Hand-colored frontispiece (fly-fisherman in a stream initialed and numbered by Al Barker), title-page printed in brown and black, brown chapter titles and tail-pieces, three feathers tipped into text. Accompanied by a clamshell box containing eight flies on mounts and the publisher's order confirmation (inscribed by the publisher and dated in the year of publication), illustrated with two hand-colored illustrations by Barker, the first (an angler reading in his library) tipped in, the second (trout leaping for a hatch, inscribed in the lower margin by the publisher) laid in, both numbered "28/60." Essays include "The Wet Fly" by Schwiebert; "The Dry Fly" by Harrop; "The Nymph" by Jorgensen; "The Terrestrial" by Neff; and "Small-Fly Materials" by Leiser; Merwin wrote the introduction. The accompanying flies, all tied on No. 20 hooks, were rusty and olive spinners tied by Schwiebert; a Baetis Nymph and a Microcaddis Pupa by Jorgensen; "Slate/Tan No Hackle" and a Quill Gordon by Harrop; and an ant and a beetle by Neff. Litchfield 128. Fine copy of a beautiful angling miniature, the order confirmation inscribed by the publisher. Crushed brown morocco, boards framed by thin gilt rules, gilt spine title, by Gray Parrot; the order confirmation in tan wrappers with a printed paper spine label on the upper wrapper. The three volumes housed in a brown cloth slipcase. (11136). Item #64885
Price: $6,500.00