Speechless !!!
Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2017 9:57 pm
I apologise for the tardiness of this post ... but I've been a tad 'under the weather' for a few weeks ... and thanks to those who have enquired after me in PM's/emails etc.
A short while ago I was humbled to receive a parcel in the post from the children of Harvey Torbett. They had collectively decided that it would be appropriate for me to become custodian of a few books which actually belonged to The Man Himself ... and sent me a small collection of 6 volumes which he owned.
6 are penned by his life long friend and angling partner Bill Howes (3 inscribed to Harvey by the author) ... and one by Len Cacutt (similarly inscribed).
An example of the inscriptions ...
The list is as follows ......
a) 1962 1st edition hardback of "Spinning for Coarse, Game and sea Fish." William J. Howes. Inscribed to Harvey, who wrote the foreward.
b) 1964 1st edition hardback of "Freshwater Fishing Baits." William J. Howes. Inscribed to Harvey.
c) 1959 1st edition of "Fly-Fishing for Coarse Fish." William J. Howes. Inscribed to Harvey. One of the "How to Catch Them" series.
d) 1965 1st edition of "Match Fishing." W. H. Howes. A paperback, but read so often it has been rebound by Harvey himself as a hard-back. I have since been able to trace an original copy of the paperback ... signed by Bill Howes at the National Show, 1965.
e) 1978 soft cover reprint of "Fishing for Londoners." (Origin edition 1955.) Edited by Bill Howes. Stamped with Harvey Torbett's name and address. Read so often it has been rebound by Harvey himself as a hard-back. I have since been able to trace an original copy of the paperback from the same year.
f) 1967 1st edition soft cover of "English Reservoirs." Bill Howes. Not inscribed by the author, but signed by Harvey Torbett.
g) 1974 1st hardback edition of "The Angling Club Handbook." Len Cacutt. Inscribed 'To Harvey. Len Cacutt.'
In the great scheme of things these probably have little intrinsic monetary value ... but to me, they are priceless.
My deepest thanks to the family for allowing them to rest with me.
A short while ago I was humbled to receive a parcel in the post from the children of Harvey Torbett. They had collectively decided that it would be appropriate for me to become custodian of a few books which actually belonged to The Man Himself ... and sent me a small collection of 6 volumes which he owned.
6 are penned by his life long friend and angling partner Bill Howes (3 inscribed to Harvey by the author) ... and one by Len Cacutt (similarly inscribed).
An example of the inscriptions ...
The list is as follows ......
a) 1962 1st edition hardback of "Spinning for Coarse, Game and sea Fish." William J. Howes. Inscribed to Harvey, who wrote the foreward.
b) 1964 1st edition hardback of "Freshwater Fishing Baits." William J. Howes. Inscribed to Harvey.
c) 1959 1st edition of "Fly-Fishing for Coarse Fish." William J. Howes. Inscribed to Harvey. One of the "How to Catch Them" series.
d) 1965 1st edition of "Match Fishing." W. H. Howes. A paperback, but read so often it has been rebound by Harvey himself as a hard-back. I have since been able to trace an original copy of the paperback ... signed by Bill Howes at the National Show, 1965.
e) 1978 soft cover reprint of "Fishing for Londoners." (Origin edition 1955.) Edited by Bill Howes. Stamped with Harvey Torbett's name and address. Read so often it has been rebound by Harvey himself as a hard-back. I have since been able to trace an original copy of the paperback from the same year.
f) 1967 1st edition soft cover of "English Reservoirs." Bill Howes. Not inscribed by the author, but signed by Harvey Torbett.
g) 1974 1st hardback edition of "The Angling Club Handbook." Len Cacutt. Inscribed 'To Harvey. Len Cacutt.'
In the great scheme of things these probably have little intrinsic monetary value ... but to me, they are priceless.
My deepest thanks to the family for allowing them to rest with me.
