Ye Compleat Angler

This is a very rare pencil signed etching by Sir Francis Seymour Haden; it is an early proof, from before the edition published in Hamerton's 1880 'Etching and Etchers'. The image size is 5 1/2 x 7 7/8 inches, 1877, cat: Schneiderman-161, plate signed and dated, pencil signed, a very rich impression on a laid type paper, framed. Sir Francis Seymour Haden was one of the most important British etchers of the 19th century, along with his brother in law James Whistler. In addition to being a highly regarded artist he was a successful surgeon, accomplished author and dedicated angler. He was a founder and the first president of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers, and was knighted in 1894. Haden created a number of remarkable etchings featuring scenes of fishing in the British countryside, of which this is one of his finest.