Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #114 begins on 11 Apr 2024

Fry, C Hilary, Stuart Keith and Emil K Urban (series editors)

Birds of Africa (Seven volumes, 1982-2004)

Published: Academic Press (first 6 volumes); Christopher Helm (last volume), London; London, 1984-2004

Edition: All firsts

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One of the finest series of bird books to have been published in recent times, this 7-vol set took a quarter of a century to plan and produce, with many of the world's leading authorities working under the three series editors.

The bird artist responsible for most of the 232 full-page colour plates was Martin Woodcock, with credit for most of the line illustrations in the text going to Ian Wallis.

Although the set runs to a total of 4700 pp, good indexing and cross-referencing make it easy to use.

This series of first editions is in fine overall condition, with no ownership names or other markings. Departures from what would otherwise be 'as new' condition are light thumbing, indicating how little this set (from the estate of one of Johannesburg's leading bird book collectors) was used; as well as the minor blemishes noted in the following summary of the volumes - bound in matching brown cloth, gilt to the front and spine, and with laminated dustjackets.

Vol I. xiii + 521 pp. Small chip to the dustjacket at the rear top fold. Vol II. xvi + 552 pp. Headband soft. Vol III. xvi + 611 pp. Small black horizontal stain at upper middle of front dustjacket. Vol IV. xv + 609 pp. Small crease to the top front of dustjacket. Vol V. xix + 669 pp. The last 18 leaves, including some blanks, are lightly rippled at the middle of the outer edge, with no effect on the text. Vol VI. xvii + 724 pp. Headband soft; 3 cm stain at upper left of front of dustjacket. Vol VII. xxi + 666 pp. Front top of dustjacket and 6 cm of front upper board and top of spine lightly rubbed.

  • Jacket Condition: Fine
  • Binding Condition: Fine
  • Overall Condition: Fine
  • Size: 315 x 215; shelf space 35 cm; weight 22 kg
  • Sold By: Fontein Books
  • Contact Person: Richard Proctor-Sims
  • Country: South Africa
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Telephone: 051 773 0050/048 079 546 4032
  • Preferred Payment Methods: Eft (South Africa), SWIFT (rest of world), or $ checks for US or Australian buyers
  • Trade Associations: AA Approved


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