The Compleat Angler Value Guide

This antique edition of The Compleat Angler, published by A. L. Burt Company in New York between 1880 and 1910, represents a popular late-Victorian printing of Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton's 17th-century masterpiece. Featuring the respected John Major revisions, this version is highly collectible for its classic discourse on the contemplative spirit of fishing and its charming period binding.

What Is The Compleat Angler Worth?

The typical price range for The Compleat Angler is $25 - $75 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The physical condition of the cloth binding, specifically looking for spine fading or fraying at the head and tail.
• The presence and clarity of any internal illustrations or decorative ink work included in the Major edition.
• Overall structural integrity, including the tightness of the hinges and the absence of foxing or staining on the paper.
• Provenance or unique owner inscriptions that place the book within its 1880-1910 historical context.

How to Identify The Compleat Angler?

• Check the title page for the A. L. Burt Company, New York publisher imprint.
• Verify the presence of the John Major editorial credit, which distinguishes this specific text version.
• Examine the binding for late 19th-century cloth and board construction typical of the 1880-1910 era.
• Confirm the inclusion of both Walton's original text and Charles Cotton's 1676 second part contribution.

History of The Compleat Angler

'The Compleat Angler' is one of the most celebrated books in the English language, first published in 1653 by Izaak Walton. It is a discourse on the art and spirit of fishing, celebrating the English countryside and the contemplative life. Charles Cotton contributed a second part to the book in 1676. This particular edition, edited by John Major, reflects the enduring popularity of the work through various reprints and interpretations.