Hives, 2400 B.C.E. - 1852 C.E.

France: RVB Books. Fine with no dust jacket. 2022. Second Edition. Softcover. From the publisher: "Since the birth of the modern beehive in 1852, structural innovation in hive construction has entered a dormant period. By favouring the standardised (sic) box hive, beekeeping turns its back on 4,400 years of architectural diversity. This little book focuses on that period of history prior to homogenisation (sic), drawing from as far back as 2400 BCE. By rejecting a fixed narrative, linearity makes way for polymorphism, introducing graphic design, photography and writing to retell the story of beehives. The 375 images offer a glimpse into this proliferous history of architecture for non-humans." Indeed, 375 photographs of beehives dating from antiquity are packed into this thick, 6" high book. Some are the predecessors of the modern, wooden hives, but most are wicker, pottery, thatch, mud, wood, or metal. Some are built into walls, or figural, or freestanding structures resembling houses or buildings. Quite a few have obvious architectural design. One photograph shows a group of hives that are built like tiny houses. Note that these are archival photographs and many are time-degraded, low contrast, or of low original quality. They are reproduced without enhancement. The book is based on an essay by Ellen Lapper and Aladin Borioli and is part of a research project on the relationship between bees and humans. Written in both French and English with photograph captions in various European languages. In this listing the cover images are of our book in-hand and interior images are the publisher's. In Fine, as-new condition. This fascinating book will please the apiarist and entertain the bee-curious.; Photographs; 24mo 5" - 6" tall; 448 pages .