Butler, Arthur G. Birds of Great Britain and Ireland. Order Passeres. 1st. Ed. Pub. Brumby & Clarke. [1908]
Two volumes with 107 chromolithograph plates of Birds and 8 of Eggs. Large 4to. Hardbacks. TEG. Occasional spotting, o/w. contents fine. Original quarter buckram over blue cloth, lettered in gilt to spine in thor. vg. condition. From the library of Eric Hosking with his bookplate to front pastedown of both volumes. Comes with an original publisher’s 4-page advertisement for the work (in half-calf) which is the same size as the final work. It provides detailed information on the contributors, the cost, background to the work, a full description of the plates, lists the birds as they appear in each volume along with a full size colour plate of the Wheatear (by Gronvold) .
These volumes were superbly illustrated by H. Gronvold and F.W. Frohawk. Eric Hosking was ‘Perhaps the most famous bird photographer ever to have lived’ (Gemma Padley). Deservedly feted for his photographic skills, as with his many other talents, carried with modesty and charm Eric Hosking was, undeniably, a great gentle man of 20th century photography (John Chillingworth). Hosking was part of the New Naturalist Editorial Board and attended their first meeting in January 1943 where he would take on the role as photographic editor.
£425.00 [Ref: 62001]