Thursday 9 August 2012

Naturally Beautiful - The New Naturalist Series


by Julie Oreskovich
Butterflies by E.B. Ford
Butterflies
E.B. Ford
The first in the series to be published in 1945.
The New Naturalist Series is a collection of books published by Collins in the UK that focuses on natural history topics. Sure, there are plenty of books about nature, but what makes these books stand out from the pack is the gorgeous design of the covers. According to the New Naturalist website, the aim of the series at the start was, "to interest the general reader in the wild life of Britain by recapturing the inquiring spirit of the old naturalists."
The first book to appear was Butterflies by E.B. Ford. Each and every author who contributed to the series were eminent experts and often professional scientists. The covers of the original books are stunning and were mostly designed by Clifford and Rosemary Ellis. Some of the more recent covers were designed by Robert Gilmor. The Ellis' designed more than 86 covers over 40 years which helped to capture the distinct look of the series.
In 1990, Bloomsbury produced a collection of facsimile editions, each one being a hardback with new dustjacket designs and all plates in black and white. At the top of the New Naturalist range are the exquisite leather bound editions. Limited to just 50 hand-bound copies for recent titles, these books are numbered, signed by the author and are a beautiful addition to any book collector's shelf.
Although the books are written in scientific style, they will appeal to anyone who has a keen eye for beautiful book design.

A Selection From the Series

The Pollination of Flowers by Michael Proctor
The Pollination of Flowers
by Michael Proctor
Heathlands by Nigel Webb
Heathlands
by Nigel Webb
Wild & Garden Plants by Max Walters
Wild & Garden Plants
by Max Walters
Bumblebees by John B. Free
Bumblebees
by John B. Free
The Folklore of Birds by Edward A. Armstrong
The Folklore of Birds
by Edward A. Armstrong
The Greenshank by Desmond Nethersole-Thompson
The Greenshank
by Desmond Nethersole-Thompson
The Hawfinch by Guy Mountfort
The Hawfinch
by Guy Mountfort
The Heron by Frank A. Lowe
The Heron
by Frank A. Lowe
The Wren by Edward A. Armstrong
The Wren
by Edward A. Armstrong
The Hebrides by J.M. Boyd
The Hebrides
by J.M. Boyd
British Bats by John Altringham
British Bats
by John Altringham
Caves and Cave Life by Philip Chapman
Caves and Cave Life
by Philip Chapman
Dragonflies by Philip S. Corbet
Dragonflies
by Philip S. Corbet
The Hebrides by J.M. Boyd
The Hebrides
by J.M. Boyd
Ladybirds by Michael E.N. Majerus
Ladybirds
by Michael E.N. Majerus
Lords & Ladies by Cecil T. Prime
Lords & Ladies
by Cecil T. Prime
The New Forest by Colin R. Tubbs
The New Forest
by Colin R. Tubbs
The Soil by B.N.K. Davis
The Soil
by B.N.K. Davis

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