My Birds in Freedom and Captivity by Hubert D Astley - 1900

ont> J M Dent and Co : London, 1900 Book. Very Good. Hardcover. First edition.. A lovely, first edition copy of this ornithological work by Hubert D Astley. A limited edition, numbered 12 of 100 copies of this work. Illustrated, with a frontispiece and twenty one plates. There are also seventeen vignette chapter headings. This work was Hubert D Astley's passion project, he states to the preface that he has great pleasure in 'the keeping of birds as pets' and 'the representation of them in sketches'. He notes that this work is him attempting to be 'author and artist in one'. Astley has written in a conversational tone, in order to inform the wider public on birds. 'with a hope that many who would not read a learned book on ornithology would perhaps dip into what is simply a homely account of some of the birds that I have kept. ' There are chapters on Blue Thrushes, Rock Thrushes, Nightingales, Gold Crested Wrens and many more. A charming ornithological work. Condition: In the publisher's original binding. Externally, generally smart with the occasional marks to boards. Minor bumping to the head and tail of spine. Front hinge is strained but firm. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright with just the odd spot. Overall Condition: Very Good Indeed.