Collection: Pêche

KOEGUI's fishing collection primarily covers the first half of the 20th century, with a consistent focus on river and salmon fishing.Le Saumon dans le Haut-Allierby Henri Boyer (original edition, L'Ancre d'Or, 1930) and Les saumonsby W. L. Calderwood (first French edition, Payot, 1939) form the salmonid thread. The fixed-spool reel [followed by] La chasse au brochet by Maurice Constantin-Weyer, illustrated by Jean Bernard (Librairie des Champs-Élysées, 1938), links to hunting, consistent with our antique hunting bookscollection. Jean Huillet's light lures (second augmented and annotated edition, 1936-1937), with prefaces by Doctor Zaleski, complete the light tackle technique.

We regularly revisit Henri de La Blanchère because his work covers the two registers that are important to us: scientific precision and careful illustration.La pêche et les poissons. Nouveau dictionnaire général des pêches(original edition, Delagrave et Cie, 1868) is the cornerstone: 1,100 illustrations, including 47 color plates out of text. The Récits de pêche et de voyage(fifth edition, Delagrave, circa 1925), illustrated by Bar and Lix, attest to an author whose successive re-editions confirm his audience.

Our twenty fishing titles are cataloged according to the criteria of the SLAM (Syndicat national de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne) and LILA networks, two networks of which KOEGUI has been a member since 2011. Illustrated works from this period frequently include a frontispiece, an engraved plate placed opposite the title page. Each entry specifies the edition (original or state), any missing parts, and the collation. Color plates and antique bindings are kept between 18 and 20 °C, at 50-60% relative humidity. Located in Bayonne, we also hold a collection of antique Basque Country books.

We offer a free appraisal, by email or at our bookstore in Bayonne. The determining criteria are the edition (original or late), the condition of the plates and binding, and the integrity of the collation (for example, the 47 out-of-text plates in La Blanchère's dictionary). As SLAM members, we apply the practices of professional antique bookselling. For general criteria, also see our guide on antique book appraisal.

Illustrated original editions hold their value better: our La Blanchère dictionary (1868, 47 color out-of-text plates) or the original edition of Boyer's Le Saumon dans le Haut-Allier (1930) are two concrete examples. A rare author, a limited print run, or an impeccable condition of the plates play a greater role than the subject alone.

Yes. We buy entire collections and libraries on fishing, hunting, and the art of living. The appraisal is free and without obligation. As SLAM and LILA members since 2011, we operate in Bayonne and the Southwest. Send us the list or photos for a quick initial response.

The clues are the colophon (year and printer's name), the collation of the plates (number and condition conforming to the bibliographic notice), and the absence of "new edition" or edition number on the title page. In case of doubt, we check the reference bibliographies that we consult regularly.