New Naturalists / General Questions / General questions and discussion

Recommended NN-related Books

Hengus — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:09:53 GMT

I'd like to recommend The Running Sky by Tim Dee. Subtitled 'A Birdwatching Life' it is actually a collection of reflections and thoughts on birds and their place in our world. Part philosophical treatise, part biography, part poetry, it really is an extraordinary and highly thought provoking book.

One chapter is particularly relevant to this forum, as it is based around the story of John Buxton's NN monograph - The Redstart and Huxley and Fisher's responses to JB's desire for it not to be too 'scientifically' based. It's fascinating stuff....

Value of New Naturalists after the Golden 13.

Jackbus — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:40:20 GMT

I see recently that there have been quite a few sales of New Naturalists in that 83-98 range on auction sites.. Books that are no longer for sale from shops new. I haven't seen all. but it is interesting to see the fluctuation in prices.

Bats seem to have come down a bit to around £130, I have seen a lot of these books on sale and it looks like the value has come down from recent highs but has stayed noticably higher than any of its neighbours. Similarly Ireland (85) seems to have plateaued around the £120 mark. Reptiles & Amphibians has crept up in value, and similarly Moths (90) has made a recent charge and is now at the £100 mark.

Of the more recent volumes,Bumblebees seems to stand out as becoming more pricey. I have no idea why. Perhaps a similar reason to that often given to explain Bats' high price. ie. interest as the leading book on the subject. but this is pure guesswork. Perhaps it has spiked because it is no longer available. Can anyone shed light on this?

Who will be the 2000th member of this forum?

Lee3764 — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:11:54 GMT

As at today (14th July, 2010) there are 1989 members of this New Naturalists Forum. Only 11 more to join and the forum will have 2000 members! Who will be that 2000th member to join?

There have been 500 odd postings on this forum but we have just short of 2000 members!!! If all members would just post a short message we could quadrouple the message count!

Cheers all,

Lee (Cornwall).

Paperbacks

PaulMead — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:58:03 GMT

Now that so many paperbacks are being 'made up' into hardback editions for the rarer h/b books, i wonder if these papervacks will become the new collectibles in the series.

myles ..packaging why no feedback

michael62 — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:13:50 GMT

Myles can you answer me on here why i had no feedback to my concerns about the packaging on the signed copys . i recieved Bager today..it was sent in what is nothing more than a thin cardboard sleeve , with a sheet of brown paper over the book inside..no padding whatsoever. dont you think as i and others asked before, we deserve some kind of decent packaging? yes you heard me complain before..yes you must be thinking oh no not him again..but why is it tell me that when ever some one voices a valid complaint nothing ever changes? and please dont say the forum is not the place to voice a complaint , because i tried the other way and heard nothing. Miles at the end of the day.. a £65 collectors book should be boxed, not a cheap alternative such as a thin cardboard sleeve. if you had got back to me and others when we voiced our concerns over the way these are sent to us now, i would not have to have brought it up in the forum. all we ever heard from you was..you would have a word to the packaging dept..well i guess whatever you said has changed nothing. and before anyone says "well the book arrived undamaged didnt it??"..yes it did thankfully ..but i kind of believe only by luck.

Peregrine

PaulMead — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:32:04 GMT

Always wondered why the classic Peregrine book published by Collins in the 70s was not a new naturalist.

New Naturalist no:114 'Badger'

Lee3764 — Fri, 07 May 2010 20:44:45 GMT

I just received my confirmation of order today from NHBS books in Totnes, Devon for my standing order with them for the next title out in the N/N series on 27th May, 2010 for 'Badger', title no:114 in the series.

I wonder who will receive their copy first and on what date & from whom? Just interested, but also not long to wait now (20 days @ 7/5/2010)!

Cheers,

Lee.

New Naturalist 'in the papers'

Hengus — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:02:29 GMT

Nice article in today's Independent (mainly about the Collector's Club Symposium which took place yesterday)

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/michael-mccarthy-going-cuckoo-over-new-nats-books-1801806.html

Book & Magazine Collector

Paul1960 — Mon, 10 May 2010 12:13:41 GMT

Major article on New Naturalist - nice one Tim

Cellophane wrappers for newly published titles

Hengus — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:40:40 GMT

A simple question for Collins...why?!

In my opinion, they actually damage the books, certainly the Dust Jackets of the books (which if they overhang even slightly, which they normally do on one edge, are always curled), rather than protect them.

I genuinely can't understand what purpose they serve (or you think they serve)?

Didn't publishers used to wrap titles (say 5 or 10 depending on the size of the book) in paper? I suppose this is progress (oh dear, I've just turned into my father).

They are also a pain in the rear end because you can never tell what you are buying (or wanting to sell)!

Don't like 'em. There, I feel better now :-)

Major New Naturalist article plus full valuations

Hengus — Sat, 01 May 2010 14:39:31 GMT

There's a major 14 page article in the new issue of Book and Magazine Collector (June 2010, No 321, £3.50) on the series including full valuations.

Some, in my opinion, very strange valuations in there (£400 for a leatherbound Dragonflies anybody. Yes please....!!). Pleasing to see they mention the first state blue band on the Art of the New Naturalists, mind!

I also look forward to reading No 99, 'Cower' :-)

Despite these minor gripes, it's an essential article. Plenty of input (in an interview) from Tim Bernhard of the NN Collector's Club and should be a good recruiting tool for him.

It's anonymously written by 'betweenthelines'.

Forthcoming titles

Gill — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:53:49 GMT

Hi everyone, have visited a few times before but never before made a post.

I look forward to each and every NN with great anticipation and as recommended order my copy in advance from NHBS.

However, I think the title I am most looking forward to being published is 'Ponds, Pools and Puddles' (2011) - I just love the title and can't wait to see the cover design.

Which titles are you all most looking forward to being published?

Also does anyone know why the delay with publication of 'Vegetation of Britain and Ireland'? Supposed to be published this year but is now numbered as NN 123 on NHBS site.

wanted

michael5 — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 17:54:12 GMT

Is there anyone who has a nice clean unfoxed copy of The Greenshank ( with or without dust wrapper ) who wishes to either sell to me or even maybe swap it for something you need? please email me mickyways@fsmail.net

New Naturalist No:112 'Books and Naturalists'

Lee3764 — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:04:16 GMT

I have just received my 1st edition copy today (6th February) and it looks very nice. I have only 'flicked' through it and it looks like a good read indeed. A lovely plate of Butterflies on page 72 from a book dating from 1741!! Fantastic plates on page 329 taken from a book/books 'Coloured Figures of the Birds of the British Isles' 1885-98. there were 421 paintings reproduced for this above publication on birds and I'm sure that would have been a cracking publication all those years ago!

It seems that this book will require the reader to sit down & read it rather than looking at the pictures like I have only done so far! Oh to be retired. So many hobbies/interests & too little time! I also quite like the Brown with Red 'NN' logos inside front & back covers. I don't think this has been a colour scheme on N/N's before?

Comments please anyone else?

Lee.

The Hawfinch book size/ jacket

michael5 — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 09:57:47 GMT

Peter Marren states in his book "The New Naturalists" that ...with the Hawfinch monograph 15 "many dust wrappers are slightly smaller than the book". I have 2 copys of The Hawfinch and the books are both different sizes, but the jackets are exactly the same. I found it strange that this was not mentioned in the book, as reading it one is lead to believe that the jacket size varies which is not the case. I have no other monographs that this is repeated and i would be interested in hearing any others views on this or if anyone has a main series that this as also happened as my main series are not showing this has happened at all.. micky

paper for the books

erik — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 23:30:28 GMT

i was wondering what sort of paper is used for the books, (i do not yet own any of the books )

and i am very interested in the migration book ?

Two books written by Eric Simms D.F.C.,M.A

Jean Luton — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:26:17 GMT

I have a hardback "British Thrushes" and a paperback "British Warblers". both inscribed to me by the author. I wish to sell them but have no idea how to go about this. Can anyone help, please?

John Buxton - The Redstart (NN Mono No 2)

Hengus — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:33:09 GMT

Whilst looking for a copy of this (just a reading copy really so if anyone has a fairly cheep and cheerful copy lying around do drop me a line), I came across an American dealer on ABE who appears to be offering a new Collins 2005 Spanish language edition of this book. Is that really correct? And if so, were any other titles issued in this way?

As mentioned elsewhere on here, there's a great description of this book in Tim Dee's sublime "The Running Sky".

More monographs

michael5 — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:53:18 GMT

Alex please will you consider the return to the monographs starting with number 23 , i am sure that most here would like to see this happen , even if they only go to number 30. there are plenty of ideas already suggested previously in the forum and i'm sure if this happened it would prove extremely popular. i would be interested to hear opinions on other forum members on this.. micky

Why collect New Naturalists?

Andy B — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:04:22 GMT

Hi all,

am interested in learning about how your love of New Naturalists began.

My story - inherited a couple of early (and very tatty) NNs. Did a little research on the series and I was hooked. I admit possible future value was a great attraction at first but now I'm not sure if I ever can bring myself to sell them.

I have a rule now - every new copy published I buy that and an earlier book working downwards from my original purchase.

Regards Andy

Store or display?

Andy B — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:34:42 GMT

Hi all,

would like a little advice regarding storage of NNs. I have a collection of 25 books and due to tendency of fading I store them inside my wardrobe on a shelf. I admire them on an almost daily basis but would love to display them more openly. Plus shelf is starting to sag a little!

Have heard of a type of glass which prevents sun damage and fading. How does everyone else store /play their books? Any advice is much appreciated.

Regards Andy

The Naturalist's Library - major article in the Apr 2010 Book and Magazine Collector

Hengus — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:20:56 GMT

There's a major 17pp article (including valuations) in the Apr 2010 Book and Magazine Collector on the Naturalist's Library (1833-1843) [and their similarities with (and differences to) the NN series].

Also a competition in the magazine, and online (although it doesn't appear to be up yet as I write) www.ccofgb.co.uk to win copies of NN112.

The article is pseudonymously written by 'betweenthelines', a 'south coast collector and commentator who is not always on the side of dealers'. He runs this website http://www.anewlookatoldbooks.com/blog/ (and no I don't know who he is, but am intrigued!)

London's Natural History NN3 1945 & 1946 Dust Wrappers

Fritillary — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:31:25 GMT

Does anybody know if there are any differences between the Dust Wrapper for the first edition of London's Natural History (1945) and the 1946 reprint?

Any response would be most welcome, thanks.

New Naturalist Swaps/Wanted or For Sale

Lee3764 — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:04:03 GMT

Does anyone want to start with a swap/sale or has any wants lists?? There used to be several over a period of several months of the old forum and indeed I obtained my copy of 'Bats' by this method from a good lady member that added a thread to the old forum back in early July just before the old forum was closed to make way for this forum.

Lee Slaughter.

New Naturalist No:1 'Butterflies' by E.B.Ford

Lee3764 — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:39:56 GMT

Is it just me, or is this book getting very hard to obtain as a 1st edition from 1945 with a decent dustjacket? Where can you get an unfaded spine on the very 1st edition of the 1st book of the N/N's? I don't suppose anyone has an excellent condition D/J from the 1st edition? My book is decent enough but not the D/J.

Thanks,

Lee.

NN56 Pedigree: Words from Nature

Hengus — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:11:44 GMT

I picked up a decent copy of this for £60ish and fancied giving it a go... Has anybody actually read it? I tried over Christmas....quite possibly one of the strangest book I've ever encountered. At times hilarious, and page turningly good...at other times, so dense and almost unreadable as to be gibberish. I'd be interested to know what others thought....

Facebook Page

John Riutta — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:23:40 GMT

I notice that The New Naturalists has a Facebook page, but that it only has 14 fans and has not been updated since September of 2009 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Naturalists/156772910427). Is this page actually owned by The New Naturalists or is it simply the work of an individual who admires the series?

Cheers,
John

Member Profiles

John Riutta — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 06:06:07 GMT

Am I just particularly dim or are many elements of the Member Profile pages disabled in this forum? (The correct answer may very well be that both are true, but it is to the latter that I am most interested in receiving advice.)

Cheers,
John

New Naturalist newsletter January 2010 - competition query

Hengus — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:11:08 GMT

I've just received the January Newsletter from Collins in my inbox.

There's a spot the difference competition (with a nice prize of some Olympus DPSI bins) based on the cover of Books and Naturalists. All very nice, but I'm afraid the covers are far too small for me to accurately see what is what. Is there any chance of having access to an enlarged version? Or a microscope??

;-)

New Edition of Woodlands

Hengus — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:28:23 GMT

As reported in the NN Collector's Club Winter newsletter there's a new edition of Oliver Rackham's Woodlands coming out on 4 March, not as part of the series. I'm a bit confused by the cover, one of which is shown in the newsletter (possibly the paperback cover?) whilst the other is shown on the Amazon page (do a search for 'Rackham Woodlands' - only £14 to pre-order - £20 RRP)

In any case, does anybody feel compelled to get this new edition or not? In the newsletter, Tim describes it as 'basically the same as the NN volume' which I'm not really sure whether it means that it is actually different or not?! Can anybody 'on the inside' let us know just how different, or otherwise (cover excepted) it actually is?

Dragonflies and Grouse Leather limited editions

michael5 — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:54:53 GMT

I have DRAGONFLIES and GROUSE mint limited leather boxed editions that i now must sell , if any collector is seriously interested in them both i will sell the two together for a greatly redused asking price of £300 plus postage for the two. which is a give away price! email me ..mickyways@fsmail.net

Just starting out.......

Solivagant — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:49:59 GMT

Can Forum members proffer advice to someone just starting out collecting NN volumes? I have acquired a few en passant over the years but have, until now, concentrated on other aspects of my travel/wildlife related library (including e.g National Geographics back to 1905). Now, however, I have the chance to be given a number of new POD NNs and that has set me to looking afresh at the series – so I have looked at a fair number of the posts on this site, the “Collectors Club” (sic) site and second hand sites such as Abe books to try to “bone up” on the subject!

The reason of course why I only have NGs back to 1905 is that my interest in the books is less in their antiquity/value than in their contents and I eventually hit a mental price barrier which may seem excessively “low” to those of you who are in the book trade (in the case of NGs I can always look at a CD Rom copy of very pricey early ones if I really need to do so!). I guess (almost) no book is worth more to me than around £80-£100 and hopefully, and more normally, rather less – so I am not going to be looking for first editions/signed copies/mint condition. None the less, like most “collectors”, I do recognise a value in “completeness” (with each item being in “reasonable”, if not “mint”, condition) of a “set” – and that part of the “fun” in book collecting is the search and getting as many as possible at “good prices” whilst also recognising that “gap filling” is going to cost somewhat more than average but can be mentally justified by offsetting the extra cost of a few copies against the good bargains achieved on others!

So my questions are
a. There are 2 series – the main one and the “Monographs”. Are these regarded as being of “equal significance” in terms of their content and “Naturalist value” such that I should collect them both simultaneously? I note that there do not seem to be PODs for the “monographs” – correct? I perhaps got an impression from the Abebooks list that the monographs generally might be fairly common?
b. I have read on this Forum of the “Golden 13” and even the “Silver 3” but have been unable to find a list of these and the ref numbers cited (83-98) are more than “13”! Which are the “rarest” volumes, irrespective of condition (from each series)? I could use the “Collectors Club” list but that refers very much to “First Editions” etc so it may not totally reflect rarity in less good condition and other editions. All other things being equal it looks as if I should choose to acquire POD copies for these, with reasonable confidence that I should be able to acquire other volumes in the series later at prices I am likely to be able to self justify!
c. Some of the volumes are fairly esoteric in subject matter (“Mumps/Measles” and “The World of Plankton”?). They might of course be the last word on their subject but I can’t see myself referring to them much for my personal reference – unlike for instance those on Bats or Ladybirds! They would be “on the shelf” largely for completeness. Are there any volumes which are regarded as particular “classics” within this “classic set” in terms of their author, the illustrations, the quality of the writing etc which I should perhaps prioritise for acquisition?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Why the long wait

peterpee — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 09:45:23 GMT

I've just joined and placed an order for a book that is described as being in stock. Todays date is the 4th January. My order says that the despatch date is the 24th January. Can anyone tell me why there is such a long period between ordering and despatch or if they have experienced problems of this type.

I could have ordered a copy from Amazon quicker than this.

POD Dust wrappers

Fritillary — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:07:52 GMT

Is it known how much these will cost and when they will be available?

Thanks.

Did you know?

Fritillary — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:19:27 GMT

Two things of interest to all you anoraks (like me) out there!

The Natural History of Wales has the number 66 on the green buckram spine BUT no NN logo, go on check yours!

Northumberland has the number 95 on the top part of the green buckram spine! take a peek at yours!

I have checked other copies, they are all as above.

Dust Jackets & Print on Demand

Stephen — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:20:29 GMT

congratulations Collins on getting your new web page and Print On Demand up and running - I wish you every success

2 New Naturalists were printed in photographic jackets - The Broads (46) and Snowdonia National Park (47)

Marrens New Naturalists (82) shows Ellis designs for a Broads jacket - would there be any possibility that these 2 volumes might be printed POD with an option of a laminated Ellis jacket (if they exist) so they appear better on the shelf?

Stephen

Old Forum Messages - Available as Archive?

Bill — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:41:47 GMT

Alex / Harper Collins,

Is there any possibility of depositing the messages from the old Forum into the new one, even if just as an archive.

There were a lot of very informative messages, especially for collectors of the series, that now appear to have been lost - unless there is a link to the old Forum that I am missing.

Regards,

Bill

New services from Collins

Collins — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:39:50 GMT

As has been noted elsewhere, it's been a few weeks since we said hello and updated members on what we are planning for 2010. Our apologies if you felt neglected, here's something to look forward to next year:

Collins will launch an official print on demand dust jacket service through this website. These will be laminated dust jackets, as per the POD series - and state they are print on demand, so as to differentiate them from originals.

So wonderful has been the uptake of our print on demand books, Collins will start the process of digitising the NN Monograph series too.

For print on demand editions of the main series, we have costs now for adding the title to the spine. As feared it adds £10 to the price so we'd be interested in hearing how important you feel it is, versus the cost increase.

For the slipcased leather bound editions we will be reducing the print runs for "Books and Naturalists", "Bird Migration" and "Badger" to 75 copies per title. To make these even more special they will come in a dust jacket signed by the cover artist Robert Gilmoor.

Have a great Christmas all of you and we look forward to your feedback, as long as it's not too cutting! ;)

Alex

12th Oct New Nats' Club Event

RowanTree — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:51:09 GMT

The closest we have come to learning anything about this is a link to a newspaper column written by someone who didn't actually attend. Is there anyone on this Forum who did? Was the event up to expectation? The New Nats' club website hasn't been up-dated for a long time so nothing to glean there.

Art of New Naturalists

Paul1960 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:09:26 GMT

Can't wait to see the adverts on ebay for the limited edtion of Art of New Naturalists (only 50 available) - what price do you think?

£500+