THE OBSERVER'S BOOK OF GRASSES, SEDGES AND RUSHES - Observer's Book No. 7 (A second printing of the 1942 first edition)

The Observer's Book of Grasses, Sedges and Rushes - Observer's Book No. 7. Printer's code: 497.544 which I believe indicates that the book was printed in May 1944. The book, which was the seventh of the series, was first published in 1942, and revised in 1947. There were four different jacket designs. Describing 100 species with 104 illustrations, 50 of which are in full colour. With a two-page Preface by the author, and a six-page Introduction by A. Bruce Jackson. ***Near fine in light-green woven cloth-covered boards with black titles to the spine and front board. The covers are clean and unmarked - just slightly faded along the edges. No creases or tears. Corners sharp. No bumps. Page block edges nice and clean. Internally the book is also near fine - extremely clean with a neat contemporary ownership name and date (1946) to the front free endpaper and embossed ownership details at the top of the half-title page: 'Beechdene School,29, Woodhouse Road, Mansfield'. No other annotations. Printed on nice quality glossy paper. No marks. No 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 4/- net. The dustwrapper is virtually complete, with just slight loss at the head and tail of the spine. There is no loss at the corner tips. There is some rubbing and creasing at the extremities, commensurate with age and handling. Some light browning to the spine. ***147mm x 95mm. 224 pages including a three-page index at the back of the book. ***'The Observer's Books - A series of Nature books suitable for carrying in the pocket, giving short but interesting text and accurate illustrations, so that the reader can quickly recognise the natural objects met with during a walk in the country.' [Quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper] ***A first reprint of the 1942 first edition, published in 1944, in really nice original condition. 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 such nice condition, especially in the original unclipped dustwrapper. A lovely early copy. ***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.…