{"product_id":"our-trees-and-how-to-know-them-charles-kirk-early-edition","title":"Our Trees and How to Know Them, Charles Kirk — Early Edition","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication\u003c\/strong\u003e: London and Glasgow, Gowans \u0026amp; Gray, Ltd., c. 1908\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormatting\u003c\/strong\u003e: 16mo, pp. [viii], 60 plates, [iv].\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"5\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eCondition Report:\u003c\/b\u003e Very Good. This delicate paperbound volume presents exceptionally well for its ephemeral format and age. The original printed wrappers show general, even age-toning and moderate rubbing to the extremities, most notably along the fragile spine joints and corners. There is some minor shelf-wear to the edges, but it remains free of any significant tears or loss. The binding is remarkably sound and tight for a small softcover of this period. Internally, the pages exhibit characteristic light browning but remain wonderfully clean, completely free from foxing, damp-staining, or prominent blemishes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"6\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"6\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eCatalogue Note:\u003c\/b\u003e Published as No. 8 in the highly successful 'Gowans's Nature Books' series, this pocket guide is a wonderful surviving example of Edwardian natural history publishing. While the sixty photographs by Charles Kirk form the educational core of the book, the true highlight of this volume is the stunning original cover design by Jessie M. King (signed in the plate to the lower left). A leading figure of the Glasgow School of Art, King's distinctive, delicate line work beautifully elevates this humble botanical guide into a highly collectible piece of Arts and Crafts design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"7\"\u003eAn advertisement to the rear preliminaries dates this particular printing to circa 1908, directly correlating with the announcement of the publisher's subsequent \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"7\" data-index-in-node=\"162\"\u003eNature Pictures\u003c\/i\u003e serialisation beginning in July of that year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"8\"\u003eSurviving copies of these fragile paperbound editions in such sound, presentable condition are increasingly scarce on the open market. They are particularly prized by collectors when bearing King's highly sought-after cover illustrations, which were often easily damaged or discarded over the last century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"9\"\u003eConceived at the dawn of the 20th century to stimulate a love for the natural world, \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"92\"\u003eOur Trees and How to Know Them\u003c\/i\u003e offers a visual foray into British arboriculture. Through the pioneering early nature photography of Charles Kirk, readers are invited to identify sixty native and commonly encountered tree species. Encased within an exquisite Art Nouveau cover by the renowned Scottish illustrator Jessie M. King, the book remains both a practical historic field guide and a beautiful artifact of the Glasgow style.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Broadhursts Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54303132025171,"sku":"4474","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/1469\/6787\/files\/20260623_133733.jpg?v=1784023747","url":"https:\/\/broadhurstsbooks.com\/products\/our-trees-and-how-to-know-them-charles-kirk-early-edition","provider":"Broadhursts Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}