This page contains supplementary information to support a discussion here of An Early West Country Pioneer: G.W. Soltau (1801-1884)
G.W. Soltau's book Trout Flies of Devon and Cornwall, and How
and When to Use Them was first published in 1847, a reprint was published in 1856.
The influence of Blacker's (1842) flies on Soltau (1847)
William Blacker's short 48 page book Blacker's Art of Fly Making was first published in 1842, five years before Soltau. It is unclear what, if any, influence Blacker had on the flies used by Soltau.
Blacker's book was reissued in 1885. This edition was greatly expanded to 252 pages, and contains hand-coloured lithographs of trout and salmon flies that are greatly prized by book collectors: "Without a doubt, Blacker was a much better fly dresser than author, yet his book is still a major milestone in angling literature. The plates are outstanding (a major reason why the book is prized by collectors) and much of the information in the book is difficult to find elsewhere." (Jackson 1982). But hand-colouring introduces variation between copies in the representation of the colour of the artificial fly . The 1885 edition need not be discussed in detail here because its publication date means it could not have influenced Soltau.
Blacker (1842) gives the components (patterns / dressings for) 31 named trout flies, and the months when they should be used.
Soltau (1847) gives illustrations of 18 unnamed flies with brief notes on where and when they should be used. Soltau gave this as his reason for not naming each fly : "Each fly is entitled to a distinct appellation, but it frequently happens that the dun of Mr. A. differs materially from that of Mr. B.; thus the sportsman is disappointed in his application—when the packet arrives he scarcely recognises one of his old acquaintances." To overcome this problem he gave a list of reliable suppliers. (Soltau 1847 p 41).
Blacker 1842
Soltau 1847
To my untutored eye there are similarities between the two sets of flies. For example, if one were to take flies from each plate and swap them around they wouldn't look out of place. They are clearly different to the later delicate dry flies favoured by Halford, but Blacker and Soltau's flies are more suitable for Devon's freestone rivers.
1847 Cover & Publishers details
1856 Cover & Publishers details
Published by James Land, War Office and Ordnance Map Agent, by Appointment, 18, George Street, Plymouth, [1856]. Note the transfer of ownership of the copyright to James Land.
The 1856 reprint was owned first by Arthur Howard Thompson, and then Sir Jocelyn Stevens, before being acquired by the British Library after being auctioned in 2006.
The 1856 reprint
Bookstamp of Arthur Howard Thompson in his copy of the 1856 reprint
Alexander (1976) lists Thompson as a keen collector of angling books: "Lesser known to the general public, perhaps, but no less ardent in their collecting activities"
Alexander advises book collectors to look out for surprises that have been left by previous owners.
That begs the question : Why did Thompson insert a 1934 newspaper report about a 95 year old fly-tier living in Chagford, Devon England, into his copy of a rare book written by the Deputy Lieutenant of Devon in the mid 19th century?
Item about Mr. Dick Perrott (1840-1936) in the Evening Standard (Dec. 12th 1934) tipped-into Soltau 1856 reprint
Mr. Dick Perrott (1840-1936) was the son of James Perrott (1815-1895). Both father and son were fishing guides on Dartmoor.