The River God – Richard Pertwee – 1951. A rare publication limited to 100 copies. Interesting provenance, bearing the angling bookplate of Charles E. Goodspeed (laid in). In his preface, George Goodspeed writes, “It was his friend Alfred W. Miller (“Sparse Grey Hackle”) who in 1950 first introduced my father [Charles E. Goodspeed] to this almost-forgotten tale. As the last fishing story he read and one which gave him pleasure and comfort at the end, it is offered as a keepsake to a few of his friends.” The story appeared in The Saturday Evening Post for July 7, 1928; this is its first separate appearance. Moreover, this particularly copy was gifted from George Goodspeed to Ken Andersen, long-time sporting bookseller. As described in Ken’s note, “George had earlier told me that he had 100 copies printed, with wallpaper design covers, to give to his father’s friends while his father, the famous book-seller and angling authority, lay in the hospital near death–as a memorial and as a gift for their friendship, I presume.” Ken goes on to further state, “According to Arnold Silverman…George never treated any bookseller in America wit the friendliness and interest that he did me, for which I was grateful.” Wood-engraved title page vignette. 28 pp. Illustrated soft covers with a bit of shelf wear, but a quite nice copy. Near fine to fine condition. The book is exactly as pictured. Any questions, please ask.
