Richard Mabey; Paul Sterry — Flora Britannica; British Wildlife

London, Sinclair Stevenson; HarperCollins Publishers Ltd , 1996-2008. Hardback. A very bright duo of nature works exploring Britain's wildlife as well as its wild flowers, plants and trees, both profusely illustrated throughout in colour. Two excellent guides to British wildlife. This set contains a first edition, first printing of 'Flora Britannica' and the first thus of 'British Wildlife', which was originally published under 'What is That?' in the same year by The Reader's Digest. In the publishers original unclipped dust wrappers. Both of these works are large, detailed and extensively illustrated throughout with photographs in vibrant colour. With guides to understanding and identifying the natural world of British plants, birds, trees and animals. 'Flora Britannica' (1996) is by Richard Mabey, a writer and broadcaster who specialises on the relations between nature and culture. His other titles include 'The New Age of Herbalist' (1988) and 'The Flora of Hampshire' (1996). 'British Wildlife' (2008) is by Paul Sterry, who was written and illustrated more than fifty books, including Collins 'Complete Guide to British Birds&apos.  'Flora Britannica' in the original cloth. 'British Wildlife' in the original pictorial boards. Both with the original unclipped dust wrappers. Externally, excellent, with only minor bumping to the extremities to 'Flora Britannica&apos. Dust wrappers are very smart, with sunning to the spine of 'Flora', and light edge wear. Internally, firmly bound with bright and clean pages. With a neat ink inscription to the front free endpaper of 'Flora&apos. Near Fine . Ill.: Bob Gibbons; Gareth Lovett Jones. Near Fine/Near Fine.