The Natural History of Selborne, Gilbert White — 1st Cresset Library Edition

£47.50

The Natural History of Selborne, Gilbert White — 1st Cresset Library Edition

Name: The Natural History of Selborne, Gilbert White — 1st Cresset Library Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4797
Price: 47.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, The Cresset Press, 1947

Formatting: 8vo, 296 pp.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The original deep blue cloth binding remains exceptionally sharp and tight, displaying no appreciable shelf-wear to the extremities. The gilt tooling and lettering on both the spine and upper board are notably bright and entirely unoxidised. Internally, the text block is square, and the hinges are completely sound. The pages are crisp and clean, showing only some faint, entirely standard toning to the text-block edges typical of post-war paper stock. The accompanying dust wrapper is unclipped, retaining the original "8/6 net" price on the lower front flap. It presents wonderfully, showing only slight, uniform age-toning to the spine and panels, alongside very minor rubbing and faint creasing to the spine ends.

Catalogue Note: This is the first Cresset Library edition of Gilbert White’s seminal classic, published in 1947. This edition is highly regarded for the scholarly introduction provided by the eminent British naturalist and ornithologist James Fisher. Further elevating this publication are the striking wood engravings by Claire Oldham, which beautifully punctuate the text.

Finding this post-war edition with its fragile dust wrapper intact and in such well-preserved condition is increasingly uncommon on the open market, making it an excellent addition for collectors of British natural history.

Gilbert White’s The Natural History of Selborne has stood as a cornerstone of ecological literature since its original publication in 1789. Comprising a series of letters addressed to fellow naturalists Thomas Pennant and Daines Barrington, the work meticulously details the flora and fauna of White's Hampshire parish. His pioneering observations, ranging from the migratory habits of birds to the intricate behaviours of local wildlife, transformed the study of natural history, advocating for fieldwork and direct observation over mere cabinet study. This timeless work remains a poetic and scientifically invaluable celebration of the English countryside.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Gilbert White; James Fisher

Book Publisher: The Cresset Press

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Natural History

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 296

Book Publication Year: 1947

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Claire Oldham

Book Series: The Cresset 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.