The Paintings of Norman Lighton for Roberts Birds of South Africa — 1st Limited Edition

Publication: Cape Town, South African Natural History Publication Company, 1976

Formatting: Large folio, pp. [xii], 102 (comprising 51 colour plates and 51 corresponding text leaves).

Condition Report: Fine. The binding remains remarkably tight and square, holding the substantial text block securely without any of the sagging typical of large folios. The dark brown gilt-lettered boards present beautifully from the front, though the rear board exhibits superficial scuffing and surface scratches, though minor. The corners retain their shape without significant bumping. Internally, the volume is excellent; the illustrated endpapers featuring a beautifully detailed bird of prey are pristine, and the heavy-stock pages alongside the vibrant lithographic plates remain bright, crisp, and entirely free of foxing, thumbing, or blemishes. A striking and incredibly well-preserved copy.

Catalogue Note: Limited first edition, restricted to an exclusive run of just 300 copies, of which this is number 188. It is handsomely signed in ink by both the artist, N. C. Lighton, and the editor, A. V. Bird, upon the limitation page. Furthermore, this specific copy contains an affixed facsimile Certificate of Authenticity, numbered to match the book, proudly displaying the "Best of Show" award granted to this publication by the International Association of Printing House Craftsmen in Montreal in 1978.

Conceived to showcase Lighton’s iconic ornithological watercolours in a much grander format than originally seen in Austin Roberts' foundational field guides, this folio edition was a triumph of South African publishing. The large-scale lithographic plates capture the nuance and vibrance of Lighton's original work far better than previous letterpress reductions, establishing this volume as a highly desirable cornerstone for collectors of African natural history and fine ornithological works. Complete, well-preserved copies of the limited edition appear scarcely on the open market.

A breathtaking tribute to African ornithology, this monumental folio revitalises Norman Lighton's classic bird portraits originally painted for Austin Roberts' seminal reference texts. Freed from the diminutive constraints of field-guide proportions, these vibrant colour plates explode with detail, offering an intimate and expansive look at the rich avian life of South Africa. Carefully curated and edited by A. V. Bird, this limited edition brilliantly celebrates both the scientific accuracy of Lighton’s brushwork and the sheer beauty of the region's natural heritage.