Chetham's Library Facsimile Editions
A new facsimile edition of James Chetham's
The Angler's Vade Mecum:
Or, a compendious, yet full, discourse of Angling: Discovering the aptest methods and ways, exactest rules, properest baits, and choicest experiments for the catching of fresh water fish. Together with a brief discourse of fish-ponds, and not only the easiest, but most palatable ways of dressing all sorts of fish, whether belonging to rivers, or ponds; and the laws concerning angling, and the preservation of such fish.
Universally agreed to be one of the most significant works on the subject, James Chetham's descriptive account of the art and science of fly-fishing is written with experience, clarity, and an acerbic wit. First published anonymously in 1681, the volume deals with every aspect of the sport, containing Chetham's observations on the most commonly encountered fish, descriptions of the dub-flies to be used each month, and an appreciative chapter on roasting, broiling, or stewing one's catch, which even includes an 'excellent French bread to eat fish with'. Praise for his prose style is to be found in Westwood and Satchell's Bibliotheca Piscatoria of 1883: 'He escapes from the category of manual makers, and takes rank, as one of the original writers on the sport'.
The third edition, originally published in 1700. Measuring 15.5 x 21.5 cm. 326 pages with index and two pages of facsimile cuts. Elegantly bound in blue cloth with gold lettering on the spine.
£22.50 including post and packing to the UK
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A new facsimile edition of
Felix Folio:
The hawkers and street dealers of the north of England manufacturing districts; including quack doctors, cheap Johns, book-sellers by hand, bookstall-keepers, watch-sellers, needle-dodgers, "land sharks," alias "turnpike sailors," alias "duffers," nut-sellers, bird-sellers, wild-fowl dealers, "dollopers," flying stationers, street ballad sellers, cheese hawkers, cum multis aliis. Being some account of their dealings, dodgings, and doings, by Felix Folio [pseud. of John Page]
An extremely rare and significant work on street trades in the nineteenth century written by John Page, superintendent of Manchester markets. This lively and readable volume documents some of the frauds and cons in use across the north of England, including important accounts of the street trade in books, ballads and broadsides. Containing a wealth of information not found elsewhere, it will be of great interest to historians of the book trade and students of social history and popular culture.
The second edition, originally published in Manchester by Abel Heywood in 1858. Measuring 15 x 21.5 cm, 140 pages. Elegantly bound in dark red cloth with gold lettering on the spine.
£22.50 including post and packing to the UK
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A new facsimile edition of John Hicklin’s
The handbook to Llandudno and its vicinity, including Conway and Penmaenmawr
Originally published in 1861, this comprehensive guide to the town of Llandudno and the wider region of Snowdonia offers a fascinating insight into the development of the area into a popular tourist attraction, as well as being an essential tool for the local historian. Hicklin describes in detail the picturesque qualities of the mountain and coastal scenery, examines local history, tradition and legend, and devotes chapters to natural history, the benefits of sea bathing, pleasure boats and excursions, and the area’s many churches.
Including many charming woodcut illustrations and several original full-page advertisements.
Measuring 15.5 x 21.5 cm, 180 pages, with a fold–out plan of the town and local area. Elegantly bound in blue cloth with gold lettering on the spine.
£22.50 including post and packing to the UK
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A new facsimile edition of William Hutton’s
A description of Blackpool in Lancashire, frequented for sea-bathing
Originally published in 1817 and giving a lively account of his three-month visit to Blackpool in the summer of 1788, where he found ‘much company, much pride, much vulgarity, accompanied with much good nature’. Including his observations on amusements, boarding regulations, places of worship, and the health benefits of bathing and sea-air.
‘A bell rings at the time of bathing, as a signal for the ladies. Some use machines drawn by one horse. A few travel from their apartments in their water dress; but the majority clothe in the boxes which stand on the beach for their use. If a gentleman is seen upon the parade, he forfeits a bottle of wine.’
Bound together with his
A journey to London; comprising a description of the most interesting objects of curiosity to a visitor of the metropolis
First published in 1818, giving his impressions of the buildings, streets and daily life, including a chapter devoted to the ‘willing ladies’ of the streets, who despite their ‘beauty, elegance and modesty’, ‘could all swear, talk indecently, and drink gin’.
Measuring 15 x 22 cm. 137 pages. Elegantly bound in blue cloth with gold lettering on the spine.
£22.50 including post and packing to the UK
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A new facsimile edition of James Butterworth’s
History and description of the town and parish of Ashton-under-Lyne, in the county of Lancaster, and the village of Dukinfield in the county of Chester
Butterworth’s affectionate and leisurely tour of the town in which he grew up, and its surrounding villages and hamlets, reminds us that nostalgia was felt as strongly in the England of George IV as it is now. Any student of local history, and anyone with Tameside connections, will enjoy his wide-ranging account of an area in which so much still looks familiar, yet in which so much has now changed out of recognition. Butterworth is as careful a student of the families who dominated the still largely rural Ashton of his day as he is of places and ancient times, and nonetheless finds space to give a strong impression of Ashton’s most vigorous period of manufacturing growth. The work is a must for local and family historian alike.
Measuring 15.5 x 21.5 cm. 188 pages. Elegantly bound in maroon cloth with gold lettering on the spine.
£22.50 including post and packing to the UK
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Why are we selling books?
Chetham's Library urgently needs to raise funds to support its free services to the public.
As a part of a programme of fund-raising, the Library is now producing limited facsimile editions, and we will be building up a substantial list of titles over the next two years. All works will be produced in high-quality hardback cloth bindings.
You can search or browse our books for sale here:
Browse Chetham's books for sale on ABE
Search Chetham's books for sale on ABE
Other book sales
In addition, we are also offering for sale on ABE copies of the Library's printed catalogues, and a number of other publications, mainly duplicated stock donated to the Library. All proceeds go to the maintenance of the Library, and we very much welcome the donation of material that we could sell for the benefit of the Library.
Don't worry - we're not selling the Library's stock!
Vigilant and concerned readers are assured that we are not selling library stock, nor will any catalogued or accessioned item be offered for sale. Rather, the sales of material here will contribute towards ensuring that the Library will continue to be able to make all its material freely available to readers. 'Duplicate stock' in this context is strictly limited to uncatalogued, mass-produced printed material which has not been accessioned into stock, and of which the Library already has at least one other good copy.