The Natural History of Selborne, Gilbert White, Illustrated by Eric Dalglish, Thornton Butterworth, numbered limited edition with extra signed plate, 1929
A very smart copy indeed of this limited edition of Gilbert White's 'Natural History of Selborne'. White (1720-1793) was a pioneering English naturalist and man of the Church. He was highly respected, and an influential figure in the way he studied living creatures in their environment, and noting the seasonal changes throughout the year. His work on Selborne has been in continuous print, in a multitude of different editions, since its first publication in 1789.
The Natural History of Selborne, by Gilbert White. Edited, with an Introduction and notes, by E.M. Nicholson. Illustrated from engravings on wood by Eric Dalglish, F.Z.S.
Published by Thornton Butterworth Limited, London, 1929. "This edition is limited to 125 copies, 50 are for sale in U.S.A. and 75 for sale in Great Britain. This copy is No. 8." Contains an extra plate signed by the artrist, Eric Dalglish.
A near fine hardback with a patterned batik paper covers over boards and a parchment spine of vellum-like appearance, with printed title. Mild bumping to head and tail. All soundly bound and beautifully presented. With paper covered board slipcase with bumping and fraying to extremities, but all intact.
Text is in fine condition throughout. The fold-out plate has discoloured offsetting to the endpaper it is mounted on and the final endpaper has similar offsetting (as is normally the case). Text is lovely and clean throughout with some pages still uncut at edges. Rough cut vertical and lower edges, as issued. Plates are preceded with captioned guards, and are tipped in. The woodblock images are striking and impressive.
A handsome copy of this desirable volume of a true naturalist classic.
Text in English.
416pp + signed bonus plate at front + portrait frontispiece + 16 Plates + fold-out map of 'Gilbert White Country' at rear (all as called for).
Dimensions: approximately 312mm x 248mm x 55mm (in slipcase).
Weight: Approximately 2318g (unpacked).