A BOOK OF SMALL FLIES. Frontispiece by Al Barker

Harrop, Rene, Poul Jorgensen, Eric Leiser, John Merwin, S.A. Neff, Jr., and Ernest Schwiebert

Published by Isaac Oelgart, Arlington, VT, 1983

About this Item

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).

Seller Inventory # 64885

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A BOOK OF SMALL FLIES. Frontispiece by Al Barker
• Publisher: Isaac Oelgart, Arlington, VT
• Publication Date: 1983
• Binding: Soft cover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Seller catalogs:
  • Fishing