HALFORD, Frederic M. Modern Development of the Dry Fly: The New Dry Fly Patterns, the Manipulation of Dressing them, and Practical Experiences of their Use. New York: E.P. Dutton, [1910]. 2 volumes, quarto. (10 13/16 x 8 1/2 inches). Half-titles, titles printed in red and black. Photogravure frontispiece portrait of Edgar Williamson on mounted india paper, 9 chromolithographic plates of fishing flies, 18 colour charts, 16 photogravures of fish and fishing spots on india paper mounted, 22 text illustrations; second volume with 33 actual fishing flies displayed in sunken compartments on nine heavy board mounts. Maroon half morocco gilt to style, marbled endpapers, top edges gilt . First American edition, deluxe edition limited to 50 copies signed by the author, this set numbered 18. A total of 125 copies of this deluxe edition were produced: 50 for sale in the United States, and 75 for sale in the British Empire. The deluxe edition of this classic work is preferred over the regular edition for a number of reasons. The first and most obvious is the presence of a second volume including the 33 specimens of actual flies, tied by Hardy Brothers and/or C. Farlow's according to the author's very specific instructions, with careful attention paid to the colour and form of each fly. The second reason is the fact that the text is printed on fine quality Whatman laid paper that is also considerably larger than the paper used in the regular edition. Thirdly the plates, particularly those on india paper, are of a much higher quality that those in the regular edition. This work was aimed quite specifically at those who fished the chalk streams of southern England, but its central message, that the artificial flies should match their living counterparts as closely as possible, was understood to be applicable around the world. This dictum, together with the author's skills in conveying the joys and tribulations of fishing have combined to produce a work that is much in demand today. Litchfield 73.