The Gamekeeper at Home; Sketches of Natural History and Rural Life. With Illustrations by Charles Whymper.

A particularly attractive early edition of one of Richard Jefferies' best-known works on English country life and natural history. Drawing extensively upon his own observation of rural life, Jefferies follows the Victorian gamekeeper through his daily world of woods, fields and waterways, describing his family and working life, dogs and game, birds and other wildlife, together with poachers, trespassers, trapping and the protection of an estate. First published in 1878, the work helped establish Jefferies' reputation as one of the foremost English writers on nature and the countryside. This 1880 second edition is particularly desirable as the first illustrated edition, extensively illustrated by the noted wildlife artist Charles Whymper. The Gamekeeper at Home; Sketches of Natural History and Rural Life. With Illustrations by Charles Whymper. Uncredited, but by Richard Jefferies, and signed 'R.J.' to Preface. Published by Smith, Elder, & Co., London, 1880. Second edition, and the first illustrated edition, the work having originally appeared in 1878. A very smart copy of this charming work, bound with tan calf leather spine and corners. With orange marbled paper over boards and the spine with raised bands, gilt tooled compartments and a brown morocco title label with gilt. Covers with light wear. Rubbed to joints, but all soundly bound. The spine with some some mottled discoloration, but not unattractive. With matching marbled endpapers with some light cracking at hinges. The text is clean and bright throughout, and the illustrations present well. A handsome volume. Text in English. xii + 219pp. Dimensions: approximately 204mm high x 148mm wide x 24mm deep. Weight: approximately 604g (unpacked).…