Our Trees and How to Know Them, Charles Kirk — Early Edition

£20.00

Our Trees and How to Know Them, Charles Kirk — Early Edition

Name: Our Trees and How to Know Them, Charles Kirk — Early Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4474
Price: 20.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London and Glasgow, Gowans & Gray, Ltd., c. 1908

Formatting: 16mo, pp. [viii], 60 plates, [iv].

Condition Report: 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.

Catalogue Note: 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.

An advertisement to the rear preliminaries dates this particular printing to circa 1908, directly correlating with the announcement of the publisher's subsequent Nature Pictures serialisation beginning in July of that year.

Surviving 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.

Conceived at the dawn of the 20th century to stimulate a love for the natural world, Our Trees and How to Know Them 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.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Charles Kirk

Book Publisher: Gowans & Gray, Ltd.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Nature & Environment

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages: 72

Book Publication Year: 1908

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Softcover

Illustrator: Jessie M. King

Book Series: Gowans's Nature Books

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.