Old Goldfish book Search

[MikeM]

Can anyone tell me the title or author in which these goldfish drawings were published? ...publication date would be pre-WWII. The drawings were done by my wife's grandmother. They are signed 'BM'. Family members recall seeing the book before WWII, but we cannot find it. Thanks!

[bekko]

Not your best photograph Mike.

I was sure they were from Goldfish Varieties and Water Gardens by William T. Innes (1947). However, in looking through the book I do not find those paintings but some paintings which may be by the same artist. The style and background is very similar. Innes does not acknowledge the artist and the color plates in the book are not signed.

You might try looking in the other Innes publications, especially Goldfish Varieties and Tropical Aquarium Fishes which went through fifteen editions between 1911 and 1932. The Aquarium was a monthly magazine edited by Innes during the decade before the war and is another place to look.

-ste

Chapter One
Aquarium Management With Particular Reference to the Goldfish

"A lady wrote the author, I have just bought eight pretty goldfish in a cute little globe. I feed them three good meals a day and change the water often, but they are always at the top of the water with their mouths partly in the air. This makes a little sound. Do you think they are trying to speak to me?"

W.T. Innes 1947

[MikeM]

LOL...What a quote!

I have looked through several Innes books with no success, but may just need to go back to older editions. Thanks.

[dick benbow]

I think they are just mouthing the words....

h-e-l-p I c-an-'-t b-r-e-a-t-h-eeeeeeeeee