The Compleat Angler: A fine set of the first five editions de Walton, Izaak - 1676

London, 1676. First through fifth editions. 5 vols. 12mo. First edition in early 19th century green morocco; others variously bound in green morocco (fifth ed. in 19th-century brown calf). Custom pull off cases. The Five 'Lifetime' Editions of the Compleat Angler: Fearing - Sage - Heckscher Provenance An outstanding group of the first five editions of Izaak Walton's 'Compleat Angler', a landmark of English literature and the cornerstone of an angling collection, here with superb American provenance, from the library of collector Daniel B. Fearing (1859-1918), who was one of the great angling collectors of the first part of the twentieth century. This set includes copies from the libraries of Fearing's fellow collectors Dean Sage and J.G. Heckscher; it was sold to bibliophile Yale Kneeland before 1918 (as recorded in correspondence to this effect from Fearing's widow to the widow of Yale Neeland) ; upon Fearing's death, his other set of the Compleat Anglers (uniformly re-bound by Riviere) went to Harvard.A. 1653, issue with "contention." (140 x 84 mm) Attractive binding: early 19th century green straight-grained morocco, spine titled in gilt with simple rules, boards with single rule border, a.e.g. Contents: some old light-medium damp-staining, repaired tear to outer blank margin of the second leaf and to an old worm hole at inner top margin B4-D4 (none of the repairs approaching text). Provenance: 1. Compton family, Minstead Manor, nr. Lyndhurst, Hampshire (18th century armorial bookplate); 2. Scrope Berdmore, warden of Merton College, Oxford (armorial bookplate dated 1790, the date he became warden); 3. Daniel B. Fearing, Newport, R.I. (bookplate signed "S.[idney] L.[awton] S.[mith] Feb. 1899," label with red ink note of purchase in New York on 19 March 1909 for "$STOO" written by Fearing).B. 1655  (138 x 74 mm). Contents: close shaved, occasionally touching the headlines, generally attractive. Late-19th/early 20th century French binding by Marcelin Lortic (signed "Lortic fils" and therefore after 1891): green morocco gilt. Provenance: 1. W.B. Tarbutt (bookplate); 2. John Gerrard Heckscher (Tiffany & Co. bookplate dated 1899, featuring a leaping Tarpon, ex-lot 2010, sale Merwin-Clayton Sales Company, New York, 2-5th Feb. 1909); 3. Daniel B. Fearing (bookplate).C. 1661 (141 x 83 mm). Contents: small repair to upper outer corner of title (no loss to text). Mid-19th century green morocco, spine gilt with fishes, attractive binding. Provenance: 1. Edward Vernon Utterson (1776-1856, noted bibliophile, booklabel, typical ms. note dating purchase to 1836); 2. Edward Hailstone (1818-1890, booklabel, Walton Hall Library sold at Sotheby's, Feb., Apr.-May 1891); 3. Dean Sage (of Albany, NY. ms. note by Heckscher noting purchase from Sage in Jan 1891); 4. John Gerrard Heckscher (bookplate, lot 2011, sale Merwin-Clayton Sales Company, New York, 2-5th Feb. 1909); 5. D.B. Fearing (bookplate).D. 1668 bound with Cotton 1676. (142 x 85 mm). Contents: O6 with lower outer corner repaired with some loss: 6 words with some characters supplied in ms facsimile, pp. 214/215 music slightly shaved (as often). Green morocco gilt by Riviere & Son. Provenance: 1. J.B. Fisher (bookplate); 2. John Gerrard Heckscher (bookplate, lot 2013, sale Merwin-Clayton Sales Company, New York, 2-5th Feb. 1909 ); 3. Daniel B. Fearing (bookplate).E. 1676. 3 parts in one (as issued). (146 x 88 mm). Contents: with blank V4 at end of 1st part. Binding: 19th-century brown calf, spine lettered in gilt, joints repaired. Provenance: 1. W. Wright (signature); 2. R. Hindley (signature).