Bees, Wasps, Ants & Allied Insects of the British Isles, Edward Step — 1st Edition

£34.95

Bees, Wasps, Ants & Allied Insects of the British Isles, Edward Step — 1st Edition

Name: Bees, Wasps, Ants & Allied Insects of the British Isles, Edward Step — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4792
Price: 34.95 GBP
Availability: InStock

Write Review

In stock

£34.95

Shipping is calculated at checkout.

Publication: London, Frederick Warne & Co., Ltd., 1932

Formatting: Small 8vo, pp. [xxvi], 238.

Condition Report: Very Good. The original brown leatherette binding remains firm and squarely bound, maintaining a remarkably tight text block. The gilt insect tooling and lettering to the front board and spine remain bright and unoxidised, presenting attractively on the shelf. There is some minor rubbing to the corners and a touch of shelf-wear along the extremities, alongside a few faint, small areas of superficial wear to the lower rear board. Internally, the page edges are subtly toned, typical of the paper stock from this era, yet the leaves themselves are exceptionally clean, crisp, and free from any significant foxing or dampstaining.

Catalogue Note: This is a true first edition of Edward Step's beloved entomological work, published as part of Frederick Warne’s highly successful Wayside and Woodland series.

Bound in the series' traditional brown leatherette cloth, the volume boasts an impressive array of visual aids. It includes 44 colour plates displaying 470 figures, 67 black-and-white plates with 170 photographic reproductions, and 64 wing maps designed to aid in field identification.

While first editions of this title lacking their original dust jackets are relatively common on the open market, they remain highly sought-after by Wayside and Woodland collectors and British natural history enthusiasts due to their detailed charm and historical significance.

Edward Step’s Bees, Wasps, Ants & Allied Insects of the British Isles offers a classic, comprehensive foray into the complex world of the Hymenoptera order. Designed for both the amateur field naturalist and the seasoned entomologist, this volume delves into the social structures, habits, and identification of Britain’s native bees, wasps, ants, and their relatives. With its vivid colour plates and precise anatomical wing maps, the book serves not only as a functional field guide of its time but as a beautiful, enduring celebration of Britain's intricate insect ecosystems.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Edward Step

Book Publisher: Frederick Warne & Co., Ltd.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Natural History

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 264

Book Publication Year: 1932

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: Wayside and Woodland

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.

Get in touch

We'd love to hear from you. Fill out the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Your cart is empty