He dwelt on the shape and beauty of particular trees on his estate, with as much pride and technical precision as though he had been discussing the merits of statues in his collection I found that he had even gone considerable distances to examine trees which were celebrated among rural amateurs; for it seems that trees, like horses, have their established points of excellence; and that there are some in England which enjoy very extensive celebrity among tree-fanciers, from being perfect in their kind.
"Bracebridge Hall, or The Humorists"
Washington Irving
The doors of the London Pavilion were opened hospitably and even at that early hour the tables in Scott's windows were occupied by lobster fanciers.
"The Orchard of Tears"
Sax Rohmer
Many of our old and well-known fanciers are making frantic but vain efforts to keep their business up to its former standard.
"Natural and Artificial Duck Culture"
James Rankin