THE OBSERVER'S BOOK OF COMMON FUNGI - Observer's Book No. 19 (First edition - first printing)

E. M. Wakefield, O.B.E.

Published by Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd., London, 1954

The Observer's Book of Common Fungi - Observer's Book No. 19. Printer's code: 553.454 which I believe indicates that the book was actually printed in Apr 1954. The book, which was the nineteenth of the series, was first published in 1954, and then reprinted until 1964 - then reissued in a revised edition in 1977 - with just three different jacket designs in all. Describing nearly 200 species, with 32 plates in full colour by Ernest C. Mansell and 64 natural photographs. ***Near fine in pale orange textured boards with red titles to the spine and front board. The covers are quite clean and unmarked - just lightly browned at th edges. No creases or tears. Corners sharp. No bumps. Top edge of page block foxed. Internally the book is also near fine, with a contemporary gift inscription on the front free endpaper, but otherwise clean pages with no annotations or marks. Printed on nice quality glossy paper. No tears or creases. No cracking to the binding. Spine tight. ***In a very good colour illustrated dustwrapper, which has not been price-clipped, retaining the original publisher's printed price of 5/- net. The dustwrapper is complete with just a very small area of loss at the top of the spine, and some rubbing and creasing at the extremities, commensurate with age and handling. No chips or serious tears - just a 2cm closed tear at the top of the front panel near the spine - hardly noticeable. No significant creasing. No fading or browning to the spine. A nicely preserved dustwrapper. ***147mm x 95mm. 118 pages including a list of books by British authors dealing with the larger fungi, a glossary and an index s at the back of the book. ***'With the advance of scientific research, the uses of fungi are becoming increasingly apparent. For example, penicillin, obtained from a green mould, has been instrumental in saving many lives. On the other hand, some parasitic fungi cause untold damage to our crops and timber. The desire to use fungi for food, or for other purposes, makes it essential to be able to identify those which are good, and--even more important--those which are poisonous. Within this book is a selection of fungi which are fairly common, and which can be recognised at sight, or at most with the aid of a pocket lens. To assist the observer in the identification of specimens, there are 32 colour plates, 64 real photographs, and a descriptive key to families and genera.' (Quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper) ***A true first printing of the first edition published in 1954, in very nice condition. This is one of the scarcer titles in the series, especially in first printing. Whilst the Observer's books from this period are not uncommon, many of the books were handled by children and consequently show a lot of wear and tear. They can prove to be quite hard to track down now in nice condition in the original dustwrapper. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc. Seller Inventory # OBS018

Bibliographic Details

Title: THE OBSERVER'S BOOK OF COMMON FUNGI - ...
Publisher: Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd., London
Publication Date: 1954
Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: Ernest C. Mansel (Colour plates)
Condition: Near Fine
Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
Edition: First Edition