GREY, Zane (1872-1939). Tales of Fishes. New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, [1919]. Large 8vo. Illustrated from photographs by the author. [xvi], 1-[267], [3, blank] pp. Bound in publisher's deluxe binding (only a few copies were issued thus, for Grey's exclusive use) of half green morocco over marbled boards, spine ruled and lettered in gilt in compartments, five raised bands, top edge gilt, marbled endleaves. FIRST EDITION, ONE OF ONLY A FEW COPIES SPECIALLY BOUND FOR GREY, THIS COPY INSCRIBED BY GREY TO HIS BROTHER ROMER CARL ON THE FIRST BLANK IN GREEN INK: "Hollywood, Calif- Nov. 18, 1919 / To R. C. Grey who is the Reddy and the R. C. on the following pages from his brother Zane Grey." On the rear blank is a partial inscription by Grey in the same green ink (presumably Grey began his inscription before discovering he had the book upside-down!) 

A scarce version of this collection of big game fishing stories, based on Grey's fishing expeditions with his brother Romer Carl. Although Grey was a best-selling Western novelist, his fishing books were just as popular as his westerns (he was the best-selling English-language author of his day). Legend has it that Grey spent 300 days a year fishing, writing during the other 65!

Spine and corners sunned to brow, some rubbing and mild wear to edges of spine and boards, gutter facing first blank cracking, a few plates with minor creasing, a few gutters a bit overopened, text lightly toned, a few pages unopened at fore-edge. Fine. Housed in modern full green morocco clamshell case.