FAQs
About Our Products
What are the New Naturalists?
The Collins New Naturalist series is the longest-running and arguably the most influential natural history series in the world. The New Naturalist books cover a variety of natural history topics relevant to the British Isles. Renowned for exemplary research, beautiful covers and low print runs, they appeal to collectors and fans of natural history alike.
How do the editions available to buy here from HarperCollins differ from New Naturalist products bought elsewhere?
Exclusive editions: As a publisher, HarperCollins has access to authors and fine binders, enabling us to offer a limited number of signed hardbacks and luxury leatherbound editions for new titles.
Print on Demand of Out of Print books: Over the years there’s been a huge demand among collectors and natural history fans to republish the backlist of out of print titles. The best way for us to do this is to publish each title on demand – meaning when you order a specific book, we print it just for you. This service is exclusively available on newnaturalists.com. We hope you like them.
Standard books: Finally, if you just want the standard hardback or paperback for recent titles, we can provide you with those on our site too.
What is involved in producing my Print on Demand Book?
For each book, the following individual steps are undertaken to create an individual bespoke volume utilising a digitised version of the original printing.
Text pages printed digitally on Genuine Traditional Cream Bookwove.
Colour and black & white plate sections printed digitally on gloss art paper.
Plates cut up and inserted into the correct position within the book.
Book is glued and lined to form the inside book block of all pages.
The book block is trimmed on three sides to the correct size.
Endpapers and a crepe lining are glued onto the book block to give strength to the book.
The case material, which is Genuine Cloth Library Buckram in the original green colour is cut to size.
The front and back boards for the hard book case are cut and the case is handmade by gluing the cloth to the boards and sized to match the book block.
The finished book is now assembled by pasting the endpapers and attaching the book block inside the case.
The book is now put in a traditional book clamp overnight for the glue to dry.
The final process is fitting the jacket, which has been laminated, to the finished book.
Your handmade book made specially for you is now ready for shipping direct to your door.
Because your book is individually made-to-order and handmade using traditional methods, it takes 5 days for us to print and bind your individual copy of a New Naturalist volume, after which it is ready for dispatch.
There are some subtle differences between an original and the custom made version we will make for you. All text and plates are as per the original. However, the case cloth colour – although close – is not an exact match. Likewise there is no blocking on the spine, and a flatback style case has been used. Lastly, the jacket has been laminated, which is a practical coating unavailable at the time of original manufacture. This also distinguishes the print-on-demand edition from the originals. Each book makes clear on the back cover or flaps and on the imprint page that this is a print-on-demand edition.
How often are new books added to the series?
Collins publishes on average three new titles a year into the New Naturalist Library. Upcoming titles are discussed and proposals reviewed at the bi-annual editorial board meeting.
About Our Site
How do I search for a product?
You can browse or search for the items you would like to order using our main categories, Leather Edition, Signed Editions, Main Series Print on Demand, Monograph Print on Demand, Replacement Jackets and Standard Editions. You can also use the ‘Search the site’ function at the top right of each page for a quicker search, by ISBN number, author, book title or a key word.
How do I place an order?
There are three ways to order with us: through the website; with our customer services team, or by mail order.
Through the website: If you want to order from the newnaturalists.com website, select your item(s) and click on the ‘buy’ button. You will get a ‘Continue shopping’ or ‘Checkout’ option box in the top right corner. If you are ready to checkout, click on this button. You will be directed to an easy to use step-by-step journey to purchase your products.
With our customer services team: You can call or email our customer services team who will be happy to take your order via email or over the phone, Telephone: 0844 576 8112 during business hours (8.30am–5.30pm Monday to Friday excluding UK Bank Holidays and Public Holidays).
Email: enquiries@harpercollins.co.uk
By mail order: You can send your order by writing or by using our download order form together with a cheque, payable to: HarperCollins Publishers, to the following address: New Naturalist Web Orders, Web Customer Services, HarperCollins Publishers, Westerhill Road, Glasgow, G64 2QT.
Why do I need to create an account?
Creating an online account allows you to shop much more efficiently and allows you to view your order history. You don’t have to worry about entering your details every time you want to shop with us. Simply fill in your details and create your own personal password. Your details will be saved securely, and you can change your details at any time by logging in and clicking on ‘My Account’ which will take you to the ‘My Profile’ page.
Can I deliver to a different address than my home address?
Yes, you can choose a different address to deliver your goods to other than your billing address by clicking on the option on the ‘Delivery Details’ page. You can also edit your details during the checkout process.
How does international delivery work?
You can buy from or send to an international address. The countries that are eligible for this service are based on our cost and risk assessment, and you can see a list of these countries in the dropdown when you make your selection. Please allow extra time for delivery abroad, and be aware of our international delivery charges, and the local import duties and taxes. For more information, please see the ‘Delivery and Returns Details’ page.
Can I track my order?
We don’t currently have the ability for you to track your order, but you can view your order history through your online account. Log-in with your email address and password which you would have set up at registration, and you will have full access to your order history through the ‘My account’ link on the top right of the site. If you require more details about your order, please contact our customer service team who will be happy to help you, via email or over the phone, Telephone: 0844 576 8112 during business hours (8.30am–5.30pm Monday to Friday excluding UK Bank Holidays and Public Holidays). Email: enquiries@harpercollins.co.uk
Why is there a different returns policy on my Print on Demand book?
The usual returns policy does not apply for Print on Demand product, and these items cannot be returned, unless there is a manufacturing error or product defect. Because they are made exclusively for you, please check that you are happy with your title and quantity ordered. This does not affect your statutory rights. Cancellations and changes must be made by 10.00am on the day after you place your order.