Rare signed book - 1868 flyfishing book "American Fish Culture: Embracing all the Details of Artificial Breeding And Rearing of Trout, the Culture of Salmon, Shad and Other Fishes" by Thaddeus Norris (American, 1811-1877). Philadelphia & London: Porter & Coates - Sampson Low, Son & Co. 304pp. Inscription reads: "Peter H Christie with compliments of Thaddeus Norris." Thaddeus Norris was considered the "godfather of flyfishing" in North America in the 19th century. "Uncle Thad" was a business man, moving from his native Virginia to Philadelphia, PA in 1829. He took an interest in the habits and instincts of fish and began publishing his writings in 1864. He was also a manufacturer of fly rods and flies. The recipient of the book, Peter H. Christie, was a fish culturist from Duchess County, NY. In a 1900 article by J.S. VanCleef in Forest & Stream (Vol 154, p166), he mentions both Norris & Christie as the earliest known to have created a fish hatchery in New York, Christie leading the way by hatching trout in a cornshaker. A nice angling collectors' find.

Cover worn & pages show some foxing. Binding still quite good for age