The Natural History of British Butterflies & Moths (Signed by Edward Thomas)

This copy owned by poet Edward Thomas with his ownership signature

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

Undated, c1871. Reprint (first illustrated edition after the non-illustrated first edition of 1869). Hardback, bound in the original brown cloth, with gilt titling and decoration to spine and upper board. All edges gilt. 26 × 17.5cm, xiv + 486pp.

This copy belonged to poet Edward Thomas, and bears his ownership signature to the ffep in his typically small handwriting. Edward Thomas (1878–1917), was a writer of beautiful prose and came to poetry late in his career in 1914. His output numbered just over 140 poems but they cemented his reputation as one of Britain's finest poets. The timing of his poetical works leads to him being considered a war poet and although the Great War is present in his works, the English countryside is his main inspiration. He was killed at the Battle of Arras in 1917, aged 39.

Illustrated in black and white throughout, this is a comprehensive study of British butterflies and moths by entomologist Edward Norman (1801–1876), it is printed in double columns. Edward Thomas himself edited a book titled British Butterflies and Other Insects in 1908 and this book may well have served as a reference for him.

Condition

This copy is in fair condition but scarce with Edward Thomas's signature. The brown cloth is worn, with heavy rubbing to the joints, edges, spine ends and corners. The endpapers are tanned, and the hinges have been neatly reinforced with white tape, the weight of the pages causing some sagging. The contents are in good condition and remaining in a good readable state. There is an old water stain to the page edges at the lower 7cm of the for-edge (only visible when the pages are splayed). Some tanning and the occasional marginal tear but the text complete.