Author: Dr. Austin Roberts
Published: 1940; H. F. & G Witherby Ltd, London & Central New Agency, Johannesburg
Size: 22.5cm x 116.5cm; 463pp
Subscriber's Edition, Limited to 125 copies, of which, this is copy No.34. Signed by the Author, Austin Roberts, the Artist, Norman C.K. Lighton and the Hon. Sec and Trustee of the South African Bird Book Fund, John Voelker and presented to Capt G.J. Joel .
Austin Roberts was a self taught ornithologist and mammalogist, whose extensive field work culminated in the publication of The Birds of South Africa, the first comprehensive work of its kind and still the standard work on South African ornithology. It has been extensively reprinted and updated. This edition was a deluxe version for subscribers who funded the project's production during World War II era constraints.
Externally, half leather binding with gilt title to spine with gilt top edge and untrimmed tail edge. Shelf wear to the extremities and exterior as shown with marks, scuffs, some staining and a slight lean to the spine. Cream cloth boards show some staining and the front cream cloth shows some lifting along the half leather margin. Internally marbled endpapers, with some staining at the top of the inside front pages up to the title page and some light foxing to the inside front blank pages. Complete with a total of 56 colour plates, including the frontispiece. Light mostly marginal age toning, otherwise pages are generally clean. The book is firmly bound. Overall condition is good.
Photos provided reflect the condition in addition to the above description.
