David Dunbar - Aurelian Books

Antiquarian and Rare Books and Prints about Butterflies, Moths and Natural History

 0208 455 9612

Category: Identification Guides - Britain

This category contains identification guides for British species and related topics. Please note that a few out of print books are listed at the end of the section and in some cases it may be possible to locate copies - please enquire. Section updated November 2017

1. BRITISH BUTTERFLIES: A HISTORY IN BOOKS


DAVID DUNBAR, BRITISH BUTTERFLIES: A HISTORY IN BOOKS, 2010, 176 pages with one hundred colour illustrations, dustjacket, signed copies available! for full details please click on the advertisement box on the lefthand side of website pages, published by the British Library (NOW OUT OF PRINT)
Stock No. 1225
£70

2. THE BUTTERFLIES OF GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND


JEREMY THOMAS & RICHARD LEWINGTON , THE BUTTERFLIES OF GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND, 2010, 288 pages, hardback, more than 900 detailed colour illustrations making it the most complete collection of British butterfly images of all life-stages, essays on all the British species including life history and ecology, identification, distribution, conservation and folklore, a complete and fully revised version of the authors original and much acclaimed book. An essential work of reference and source of pleasurable reading for all those interested in butterflies. Published by British Wildlife Publishing.
Stock No. 1160
£24

3. THE MILLENNIUM ATLAS OF BUTTERFLIES IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND


ASHER, JIM & M WARREN, R FOX and others, THE MILLENNIUM ATLAS OF BUTTERFLIES IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND, 2001, 464pp, 270 colour illustrations and distribution maps, hardback with dustjacket. The millennium atlas is the culmination of five years intensive work by thousands of volunteer recorders resulting in the most comprehensive survey of butterflies ever undertaken in the British Isles. It is an up-to-date assessment of our butterflies, their habitats, the threats they face, and the major changes that have occurred since the 1984 atlas. The varying fortune of each species is meticulously charted particularly in relation to widespread habitat loss and climate variation. There is a wealth of new information about butterfly ecology including findings from the British Monitoring Scheme and descriptions of the habitats most favoured by particular communities of butterflies with visions of how their future conservation might be developed. The style of writing is easily readable and the book is fantastic value for money. It will be a classic work for many years and of interest to amateur naturalists, professional conservationists and policy makers alike. New copy but now out of print. However we still have a few copies left at the original price
Stock No. 1066
£25.

4. THE STATE OF BUTTERFLIES IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND


FOX, RICHARD and others, THE STATE OF BUTTERFLIES IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND, 2006, 112 pages with photographs and state-of-the-art colour distribution maps of records gathered between 2000 and 2004, with a full assessment of the overall state of British butterflies and individual species, the sequence volume to The Millennium Atlas (2001) and a key work relating to the implications and conclusions for the future of butterflies, illustrated soft covers, published by Pisces Publications for Butterfly Conservation, & others. Now (originally 12.50).
Stock No. 1079
£10

5. PHILIP'S GUIDE TO BUTTERFLIES OF BRITAIN AND IRELAND


THOMAS J A, PHILIP'S GUIDE TO BUTTERFLIES OF BRITAIN AND IRELAND, 2007, 176 pages, fully illustrated in colour throughout, with illustrations by Richard Lewington, many photos, life-cycle tables and distribution maps, pocket-size paperback, a welcome republication with much revision of Jeremy Thomas's original book by RSNC and then Hamlyn
Stock No. 354
£9.99

6. POCKET GUIDE TO THE BUTTERFLIES OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND


RICHARD LEWINGTON, POCKET GUIDE TO THE BUTTERFLIES OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND, 2003, 144 pp, paper back, 190 x116 mm, all resident and migrant species illustrated in colour including all life stages, male, female, undersides and seasonal variations of the butterflies all shown, British Wildlife Publishing. A sensible guide with all the basics clearly presented and featuring only British butterflies. It really does fit in the pocket! Also excellent value for money. New.
Stock No. 360
£9.95

7. GUIDE TO THE BUTTERFLIES OF BRITAIN


LEWINGTON R, GUIDE TO THE BUTTERFLIES OF BRITAIN, 1998, a laminated poster measuring 70 x 25 cms folded into four sections, 122 colour figures of all the 57 British butterflies, male/female/undersides depicted, text on reverse by John Bebbington, FSC. New.
Stock No. 361
£3.50

8. THE AURELIAN LEGACY - BRITISH BUTTERFLIES AND THEIR COLLECTORS


SALMON, Dr MICHAEL A, THE AURELIAN LEGACY - BRITISH BUTTERFLIES AND THEIR COLLECTORS, 2000, with additional material by Peter Marren and Basil Harley, foreword by Dame Miriam Rothschild, 272pp, superb colour plates and many black and white illustrations, clothbound and dustjacket, Harley Books. This engaging book charts the history of butterfly collecting in Britain since the 17th century. Although collecting is now an emotive subject it is impossible to separate the history of butterflies from that of their collectors. It provides a brief biography, with a portrait where available, of one hundred early lepidopterists together with quotations and anecdotes of their exploits. Chapters include the history of collecting, an illustrated description of equipment, important histories of 35 species of special interest, and collecting and conservation. In a very original presentation this is a fascinating glimpse into the past of a hitherto unresearched but ancient pursuit and makes compelling reading. (Originally 30)
Stock No. 1067
£25

9. THE MEADOW BROWN BUTTERFLIES, A STUDY IN GENETICS, MORPHOLOGY AND EVOLUTION


THOMSON GEORGE, THE MEADOW BROWN BUTTERFLIES, A STUDY IN GENETICS, MORPHOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, 2011, 343 pages, many b/w photographic, diagrammatic and other illustrations, a major work based on a thesis written by the author in 1987, soft covers, privately printed and published by the author.
Stock No. 1253
£25

10. AN AURELIAN'S FIRESIDE COMPANION


SALMON, DR MICHAEL A & P J EDWARDS, AN AURELIAN'S FIRESIDE COMPANION, 2003, over 300 pages, many colour and 50 black and white illustrations including photographs of the protagonists and drawings by Tim Bernhard, Paphia Publishing, ‘An anthology of the more extraordinary and entertaining contributions to British entomological literature of the past 250 years' a tittle-tattle and gossip about a number of butterflies and moths, as well as the habits of their collectors.
Stock No. 1075
£45

11. COMPLETE GUIDE TO BRITISH BUTTERFLIES


BROOKS M & KNIGHT C, COMPLETE GUIDE TO BRITISH BUTTERFLIES, 1982, 159 pages, the first book with colour photos of all the life-stages of the British butterflies, a good natural history and guide, Cape. S/H
Stock No. 355
£22

12. T G HOWARTH


SOUTH'S BRITISH BUTTERFLIES, T G HOWARTH, 1973, 13 + 210 pages including 24 colour plates and 27 text figures of adults by A D A Russwurm, 24 colour plates of early lifestages from originals by F W Frohawk copied by R H Davies and 57 distribution maps, images slightly larger than lifesize, based extensively on the classic work by Richard South. An excellent copy with slightly frayed dustjacket, with slipcase, published by Frederick Warne & Co Ltd
Stock No. 1171
£40

13. THE BUTTERFLIES OF GREAT BRITAIN IRELAND


HEATH J, & MAITLAND EMMETT A, THE BUTTERFLIES OF GREAT BRITAIN IRELAND, 1990, new and revised edition, 380pp, over 100 species described, 24 colour plates, 568 figures painted by Richard Lewington, 22 text drawings, and 83 distribution maps, a most comprehensive book about British butterflies. Harley Books. (A price increase has been imposed by the new publishers but we are NOW REDUCING the original price for the immediate future) New only in soft covers. REDUCED.
Stock No. 356
£30

14. THE BUTTERFLIES OF GREAT BRITAIN IRELAND


HEATH J, & MAITLAND EMMETT A, THE BUTTERFLIES OF GREAT BRITAIN IRELAND, 1989, the first edition of the previous item in hardback only. New.
Stock No. 357
£63

15. THE MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND


HEATH J, & MAITLAND EMMETT A, THE MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND, 1991, 398pp, volume 7 part 2, lasiozampidae to thyatiridae, 8 colour plates, text figures and 28 maps, resting postures of lepidoptera with 64 colour photos, life-history charts and check lists of over 2500 species, on 100 double-page spreads (including the butterflies), companion volume to the previous item Harley Books. (A price increase has been imposed by the new publishers but we are holding the original prices for the immediate future). Hardback edition
Stock No. 358
£65

16. COLOUR IDENTIFICATION GUIDE TO BRITISH BUTTERFLIES


HOWARTH T G, COLOUR IDENTIFICATION GUIDE TO BRITISH BUTTERFLIES, A useful guide, with 48 plates, Warne. S/H.
Stock No. 359
£15

17. THE COMPLETE BRITISH BUTTERFLIES


NEWMAN L HUGH, THE COMPLETE BRITISH BUTTERFLIES, 1968, 144 pags including 58 attractive colour plates showing all the butterfly life-stages and caterpillar foodplants illustrated by E Mansell, quarto-size, dustjacket, Ebury Press. S/H.
Stock No. 362
£15

18. OBSERVERS BUTTERFLIES


MORRISON P, OBSERVERS BUTTERFLIES, 1989, 192 pages, pocket guide with colour illustrations of all life-stages after F W Frohawk, new text, small format but slightly larger than the Observer's Books series, Bloomsbury Books. S/H.
Stock No. 363
£12

19. FIELD GUIDE TO THE BUTTERFLIES AND OTHER INSECTS OF BRITAIN


READER'S DIGEST, FIELD GUIDE TO THE BUTTERFLIES AND OTHER INSECTS OF BRITAIN, 1993, 350pp, colour illustrated throughout in excellent detail, includes caterpillars and pupae, RDA. A large portion of this book is devoted to the British butterflies and larger moths. Useful section about dragonflies New.
Stock No. 365
£15

20. A BUTTERFLY BOOK FOR THE POCKET


SANDARS E, A BUTTERFLY BOOK FOR THE POCKET, 1948, 332pp, colour plates showing male, female and undersides of all species together with caterpillar and chrysalis, early distribution maps, text and appearance time-tables, a charming collector's book useful even by modern-day standards, OUP.
Stock No. 366
£15

21. THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE BRITISH ISLES


SOUTH R, THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE BRITISH ISLES, Numerous editions from 1906 and revised, over 200 pages, colour plates of butterflies (male & female undersides and many varieties illustrated), b/w plates of eggs, caterpillars and pupae. Although first published at the beginning of the last century this charming book still serves as a very useful identification guide and natural history. (Secondhand copies usually available from 15 depending on edition and condition. Please contact Aurelian Books for details) First edition.
Stock No. 367
£35

22. BRITAIN'S BUTTERFLIES


TOMLINSON DAVID & STILL ROB, BRITAIN'S BUTTERFLIES, 2002, WILDguides, 192 pages with digitally produced images of all the British butterflies including male and female seasonal variations, and close-ups of ova, larvae and pupae of all species, plastic cover for paperback. New.
Stock No. 511
£15

23. DISCOVER BUTTERFLIES IN BRITAIN


NEWLAND, D E, DISCOVER BUTTERFLIES IN BRITAIN, 2006, a beautifully produced book with 224 pages full of colour illustrations and detailing information about 66 of the best sites or reserves, including target species, across Britain to see butterflies, 58 species are well photographed and described with special reference to habitat requirements, in hardback, published and available from WildGuides.
Stock No. 1080
£15

24. NIMROD'S GREAT BUTTERFLY HUNT


SMITH, JIM & ANN, NIMROD'S GREAT BUTTERFLY HUNT, 2006, 130 pages with photos of butterflies and their habitats set amongst decorative water-colour paintings, A4 cloth bound hardback, a sentimental account of adventures exploring the countryside and photographing butterflies written as a dedication to the authors' grandson. Privately published. New.
Stock No. 1081
£30

25. BUTTERFLY DAYS


STEWART, RICHARD, BUTTERFLY DAYS, 2006, in A5 booklet format with 124 pages, a collection of personal reminiscences, diary entries, poetry and pleasant writings from a butterfly observer and enthusiast, published by the Poetry Monthly Press. New.
Stock No. 1082
£6.50

26. THE GREAT BRITISH BUTTERFLY SAFARI - Out of print


PAGE, ROBIN, THE GREAT BRITISH BUTTERFLY SAFARI - Out of print, 2003, 190 pp, hardback, cartoon illustrations by John Paley, includes a free British butterfly identification chart, Bird's Farm Books. A highly entertaining and amusing book with many serious underlying messages about the world and its butterflies. If you can laugh and like butterflies you will enjoy this refreshing account of a year's butterflying and seeing fifty nine species around the British Isles. Makes a pleasant change from guides and dry science. Great winter reading to pass away those long boring evenings.
Stock No. 1077
£Out of print.

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