FOUR BOOKS ON THE DISCOVERY OF THE COELACANTH - inscribed by Margaret Smith

Four books on fish by Professor J.L.B. Smith, the man who correctly identified the coelacanth, the prehistoric fish that became the most sensational and significant natural history discovery of the 20th century.

1.) A copy of The Cape Naturalist, Vol. I, No, 6. Published July 1939. 

Staple-bound booklet. Very good condition. Image of coelacanth on front wrap.

It contains an article by Professor J.L.B. Smith on the first living coelacanth that was discovered off South Africa's south-east coast six months earlier. This is a significant publication as it is a very early, if not the earliest, scientific article on the living coelacanth. It would be an agonising twelve years before Smith could finally solve the mystery of this monster from prehistory after he discovered a second specimen in the Comoros Islands.

2.) OLD FOUR LEGS - The Story of the Coelacanth

Published in London by Reader's Union, 1957.

Front endpaper removed. Inscription by Margaret Smith, the author's wife, on half-title page, "To John-Daniel - the man who so nearly took part in the Coelacanth flight to the Comores to fetch OLD FOUR LEGS, with best wishes, Margaret M. Smith, July 1977."

3.) HIGH TIDE

First edition published by Books of Africa, Cape Town, 1968.

Once again inscribed to John-Daniel by the author's wife, "To John-Daniel, To replace your lost copy and to thank you for all your help during our 1977 Kwazulu expedition. 1977"

This is then additionally signed by members of the expedition.

4.) ONS VISSE

First edition published by Voortrekkerpers, 1969.

Dust jacket has large pieces missing and is in poor condition.

Inscribed in Afrikaans by the author's wife on the front endpaper, "Aan Dr. S. Meiring Naudé, met beste wense Margaret Mary Smith 25/2/69."