New Naturalist Dragonflies

[Deer Stalker]

New Naturalist Dragonflies (by Philip Corbet & Stephen Brooks) can now be pre-ordered on a certain website, for a discounted price.

Iv'e ordered mine. Should arrive in June

ISBN-10: 0007151683

[aeshna5]

I'm looking forward to this. I collect all the New Naturalists, but this one I'm especially anticipating. There was a previous NN on Dragonflies by Cynthia Longfield which I haven't got, but it's long out of print + usually sells for over £100 which I'm not prepared to pay!

[Wild-Woman]

Yep-eagerly awaiting it's arrival!

[Gill Catton]

yes truly beautiful cover too!! I shall be pre-ordering mine too

[Dan Salter]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I'm looking forward to this. I collect all the New Naturalists, but this one I'm especially anticipating. There was a previous NN on Dragonflies by Cynthia Longfield which I haven't got, but it's long out of print + usually sells for over £100 which I'm not prepared to pay!

No chance of you ever collecting "all" 100 plus of the 'new naturalists' then, as the majority of rare short print runs go WAY over £100...sometimes nearer a thousand

[Ukwildlifeo]

oooo one for my birthday list - mind you I havent read my "Evolution of the Insects" book yet

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

No chance of you ever collecting "all" 100 plus of the 'new naturalists' then, as the majority of rare short print runs go WAY over £100...sometimes nearer a thousand

I doubt I ever will own all, but I've got 70 titles including a few kind donations given to me over the years, but they are an excellent series of books, though some are more readable than others.

[Dan Salter]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I doubt I ever will own all, but I've got 70 titles including a few kind donations given to me over the years, but they are an excellent series of books, though some are more readable than others.

Blimey your doing pretty well then ! i plan to start collecting them once i pass this skint student phase of my life....

[ChrisJB]

I'm sure I've read recently that the full set would be worth over twelve grand. The last one I got was Oliver Rackham's 'Woodlands'. Heavy going at times, but absorbing as well.
I like the idea of buying some of the 'site guide' (eg 'Dumfries and Galloway') ones, are they just as good?

Regards, Chris

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

I'm sure I've read recently that the full set would be worth over twelve grand. The last one I got was Oliver Rackham's 'Woodlands'. Heavy going at times, but absorbing as well.
I like the idea of buying some of the 'site guide' (eg 'Dumfries and Galloway') ones, are they just as good?

Regards, Chris

I think so + you can always dip into those chapters of interest- I find geology a bit dull, so often gloss over these + concentrate on fauna + flora chapters. Currently dipping into the current one on Wye Valley.

[richardkm]

I work in a shop where we specialise in the New Naturalist series. A full set of 1st Edition, first state volumes with fine dustjackets would cost in excess of£20,000. We sold a full set recently, not all at once, but individually. There was considerable interest. Some customers spent several thousand pounds!

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by richardkm

I work in a shop where we specialise in the New Naturalist series. A full set of 1st Edition, first state volumes with fine dustjackets would cost in excess of£20,000. We sold a full set recently, not all at once, but individually. There was considerable interest. Some customers spent several thousand pounds!

Stone the crows!(well not actually) That's a heck of a layout for books!

[Dan Salter]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Stone the crows!(well not actually) That's a heck of a layout for books!

Yes but they are so gorgeously lovely looking they make me want to weep!..there is nothing as stunning looking as a shelf full of NN books. (although i do have a thing for folio society too)

I would be happy with a full set ...doesnt have to be first editions...i would never re sell them anyway....so 3rd or 4th suits me...im also interested to find out where you buy the Facsimili (reproduction printed) covers for them...i would put the original covers away safe and replace them all with reprints for the shelf all new looking with no tears.

[Willrow]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I'm looking forward to this. I collect all the New Naturalists, but this one I'm especially anticipating. There was a previous NN on Dragonflies by Cynthia Longfield which I haven't got, but it's long out of print + usually sells for over £100 which I'm not prepared to pay!

Saw a very good copy of the Longfield/Corbet Dragonflies in a Cardiff bookshop this week for £400.

I have a complete set minus No9 A Country Parish and No14 Botanical Illustration - mind you I could never afford buying all first editions, I've collected them in different editions and conditions over a period of 12 years, and still take great pleasure trying to find affordable ones. My Dragonflies is a ex-library edition in a laser inkjet copied dust wrapper!! I use my books for reference, I'm not a real collector, some are well thumbed, yet still well treated.

A wonderful series, sadly unless your a wealthy person a full set is almost unobtainable today, first editions in fine condition go at ridiculous prices, and the collectors of such books, don't usually have the slightest interest in the actual subjects they cover, they often don't again see the light of day...must not have a faded cover...in fact it really is not the book that matters, it's a market in dust wrappers, to a big extent.

Willrow.

[aeshna5]

£400 is a lot of money for this book-unless I was overflowing in money (which I'm not) I would never pay this. Not all mine are first editions, some are the fascimiles or 2nd editions, but it's the content I buy them for, rather than collecting for the pure sake of it.

They are certainly coming out at a fair rate now, must be c 3 or 4 a year!

[DavyG]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I'm looking forward to this. I collect all the New Naturalists, but this one I'm especially anticipating. There was a previous NN on Dragonflies by Cynthia Longfield which I haven't got, but it's long out of print + usually sells for over £100 which I'm not prepared to pay!

Is this the same book as:

The Dragonflies Of The British Isles by Cynthia Longfield FRES, published by Warne?

If so, there are some still to be had.

I've just bought one via a well known online auction site for the princely sum of £20.00.

It's the second (enlarged) edition published in 1949.

The book has no dustcover but has had some sort of laminate put over the cover.

Overall it's in very good condition.

I hope this is of some help.

Dave

[oxycera]

The book to which you refer is one of the 'Wayside & Woodland' series.
If I remember correctly the 2nd edition has better illustrations. The price of this title seems to have increased over the last few years. It's not one I've ever been particularly bothered about owning. I have a good copy of the New Nat. and will probably buy the new version. I also have a copy of Lucas's classic work on British Dragonflies which really does have superb plates.

[DavyG]

Originally Posted by oxycera

The book to which you refer is one of the 'Wayside & Woodland' series.
If I remember correctly the 2nd edition has better illustrations. The price of this title seems to have increased over the last few years. It's not one I've ever been particularly bothered about owning. I have a good copy of the New Nat. and will probably buy the new version. I also have a copy of Lucas's classic work on British Dragonflies which really does have superb plates.

Thanks for the information, I only received the book today and had found it by accident really, I purchased it on a whim at what seemed a good price.

I also purchased another Dragonfly book in the same way, its called:

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO BRITISH DRAGONFLIES by Andrew McGEENEY

Published in 1986 by Jonathan Cape

I haven't received it yet but hopefully it will be a useful addition to my growing library.

I'd be interested in knowing the title and publisher of Lucas's book please.

Dave

[oxycera]

The book by McGeeney is surprisingly pricey. If you paid less than £30 you've done well.
British Dragonflies by W.J.Lucas, Upcott Gill, 1900.
Not easy to find but some specialist book-dealers should have it. In the £200-£300 bracket (still cheaper than the New Naturalist). Try looking on abe.

[richardkm]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

im also interested to find out where you buy the Facsimili (reproduction printed) covers for them...i would put the original covers away safe and replace them all with reprints for the shelf all new looking with no tears.

I do one piece high quality repro dustjackets, pm me and I'll give you contact details

[DavyG]

Originally Posted by oxycera

The book by McGeeney is surprisingly pricey. If you paid less than £30 you've done well.
British Dragonflies by W.J.Lucas, Upcott Gill, 1900.
Not easy to find but some specialist book-dealers should have it. In the £200-£300 bracket (still cheaper than the New Naturalist). Try looking on abe.

Thanks for the information regarding the W.J. Lucas, I'll watch out for one of those, but the price is a tad daunting!

I received the McGeeney book today, it is in very good condition.

I paid the grand sum of £17.50 for it, I'm pleased with the purchase.

Dave

[Dan Salter]

Originally Posted by Willrow

Saw a very good copy of the Longfield/Corbet Dragonflies in a Cardiff bookshop this week for £400.

I have a complete set minus No9 A Country Parish and No14 Botanical Illustration - mind you I could never afford buying all first editions, I've collected them in different editions and conditions over a period of 12 years, and still take great pleasure trying to find affordable ones. My Dragonflies is a ex-library edition in a laser inkjet copied dust wrapper!! I use my books for reference, I'm not a real collector, some are well thumbed, yet still well treated.

A wonderful series, sadly unless your a wealthy person a full set is almost unobtainable today, first editions in fine condition go at ridiculous prices, and the collectors of such books, don't usually have the slightest interest in the actual subjects they cover, they often don't again see the light of day...must not have a faded cover...in fact it really is not the book that matters, it's a market in dust wrappers, to a big extent.

Willrow.

Hi Willrow, not sure if you are aware but no9 a country parish has been reissued as a facsimilie edition!...as part of a set of the first ten books or individual ( £75 ish i think?)...see my new thread "mouth watering new naturalist reissues")

[Willrow]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

Hi Willrow, not sure if you are aware but no9 a country parish has been reissued as a facsimilie edition!...as part of a set of the first ten books or individual ( £75 ish i think?)...see my new thread "mouth watering new naturalist reissues")

Thank you Dan, yes I'm aware of the facsimile editions. I've recently registered with the New Naturalists 'club' - the official Collins website for the series, you get all the latest information regarding the series as it comes out. I still appreciate your gesture of letting me know.

Willrow.

[Dan Salter]

Originally Posted by Willrow

Thank you Dan, yes I'm aware of the facsimile editions. I've recently registered with the New Naturalists 'club' - the official Collins website for the series, you get all the latest information regarding the series as it comes out. I still appreciate your gesture of letting me know.

Willrow.

Ahah! i joined yesterday...see you in the forums