British Mammals, L. Harrison Matthews — 1st Edition

£34.00

British Mammals, L. Harrison Matthews — 1st Edition

Name: British Mammals, L. Harrison Matthews — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4576
Price: 34.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Collins, 1952

Formatting: 8vo, pp. xii, 410.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The original green cloth binding remains structurally exceptionally tight and well-preserved, with the gilt tooling to the spine remaining notably bright and unoxidised. The corners are sharp, and the boards show almost no shelf-wear, reflecting excellent structural integrity. Internally, the text block is clean, crisp, and firmly bound, completely free from pervasive foxing or handling marks, with the front free endpaper bearing only a neat, factual previous ownership signature. The original dust jacket retains strong, unfaded colours to the front panel and spine; it exhibits only minor chips, nicks, and slight rubbing to the extremities (most notably at the spine ends and corners), which are consistent with the minor, non-detracting flaws.

Catalogue Note: First edition, first printing of volume 21 in the highly esteemed Collins New Naturalist Library.

This comprehensive survey features 16 colour plates, 48 black-and-white plates, and 92 figures in the text, showcasing the rigorous production standards of the series. The volume is presented in its original green cloth binding with the iconic wrapper artwork characteristic of the library.

The front free endpaper bears the previous ownership signature of G. J. Williams. While early volumes of the New Naturalist series are relatively common on the open market, finding a first printing from 1952 with its original dust jacket in such bright and structurally sound condition is becoming increasingly uncommon, making this a highly desirable copy for collectors.

British Mammals by L. Harrison Matthews is a landmark work of twentieth-century natural history that masterfully bridges the gap between academic zoology and serious field naturalism. Serving as the 21st volume in the prestigious New Naturalist series, the book provides a deeply researched, comprehensive account of Britain's native and established mammal species. Matthews, a distinguished zoologist, explores the ecology, structure, and biology of these creatures, from bats and rodents to seals and whales, while evaluating the historical and environmental impacts of human activity on their habitats. Richly illustrated and vividly written, it remains an essential reference for naturalists, ecologists, and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: L. Harrison Matthews

Book Publisher: Collins

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Natural History

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 410

Book Publication Year: 1952

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: The New Naturalist Library

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.