MILNOR, William, Jr. (1769-1848)

[Original Cloth] An Authentic Historical Memoir of the Schuylkill Fishing Company of the State of Schuylkill. From Its Establishment on that Romantic Stream, near Philadelphia, in the Year 1732, to the Present Time. By a Member [bound with:] Memoirs of the Gloucester Fox Hunting Club, Near Philadelphia

Philadelphia: Judah Dobson, 1830. Original Cloth. First Edition of this early history of America's oldest angling society, Second Issue, with portrait of Gouvernor Morris by St. Memin inserted after Introduction. Bound with the first American book on fox hunting. 8vo (220 x 140mm): viii,127,[1]; [ii],56,[2,errata]pp, with lithographic frontispiece to each title and two lithographic portraits, of Robert Wharton and Jonas Cattell. Original salmon cloth (very skillfully rebacked), original paper title label printed in black to front cover. Housed in bespoke cloth chemise and slipcase with leather spine label. A collectible wide-margined example, first few quires moderately foxed (end sheets heavily so), else sporadic light spotting only; securely bound with rich impressions of the tissue-guarded plates. Copies with the portrait of Morris appear more uncommon than first issue copies, both in commerce and in institutional collections. American Imprints 2578-2579. Bruns S74 (“Almost priceless today, never offered except in later editions . . ."). Gee, p. 18. Howes M-636. Sabin 49133. Schwerdt IV, p. 66. Westwood & Satchell, p. 190 ("quaint and scarce book"). Henderson, p. 130. Near Fine+. Item #BB2756

Milnor served years as secretary of the Schuylkill Fishing Company, America's oldest angling group, founded by Quakers in 1732, and was a member of the Gloucester Fox Hunting Club, the first organized hunt club in America, founded (across the Delaware River from Philadelphia in New Jersey) in 1766. He was also a member of Congress (1812-1820) and mayor of Philadelphia (1829-30). These well written accounts are full of lively anecdotes, incidents involving illustrious individuals, and descriptions of various methods of hunting and fishing. Usually found bound together, as here. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable mylar sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).

Price: $1,039.00