Signed; Colonel R. Meinertzhagen - Pirates and Predators - 1959

1959. MEINERTZHAGEN, Pirates and Predators - First Edition SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR with Original Dust Jacket | The Man Who Inspired James Bond | Ornithology & Natural History

An extraordinary opportunity for collectors of rare signed books, natural history and historical memorabilia.
Published in 1959 by Oliver & Boyd, Pirates and Predators is the famous and controversial study by Richard Meinertzhagen on the predatory and “piratical” habits in the avian world. This copy of the First Edition is enriched by the author’s original autograph, preserved with its iconic and striking vintage dust jacket.

SPECIAL FEATURES

The Spy Who Inspired 007: The author, Colonel Richard Meinertzhagen (C.B.E., D.S.O.), was a legendary British intelligence officer, war hero and explorer. His romantic, ruthless and brilliant persona is widely recognized by historians as one of the main sources of inspiration for Ian Fleming in creating the character James Bond (007).
Original Autograph: The item bears on the title page the author’s own blue-ink signature (R. Meinertzhagen).
Original Dust Jacket Preserved: The rare red dust jacket with the famous skull and crossbones graphic is present, a fleeting and extremely rare element to find complete with this title.
Famous and Iconic Work: A pioneering study of the predatory and hunting habits of birds, accompanied by a rich iconographic apparatus with color and black-and-white plates.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Author: Colonel R. Meinertzhagen (C.B.E., D.S.O.)
Full Title: Pirates and Predators: The Piratical and Predatory Habits of Birds
Publisher: Edinburgh & London, Oliver & Boyd
Publication Year: 1959 (First Edition)
Special Feature: Signed copy by the author
Language: English
Binding: Original red cloth binding with gilt spine and illustrated dust jacket
Format: Folio (Large quarto)

CONDITION REPORT (Maximum Transparency)

Interior (Excellent): Pages are clean, fresh and securely bound. The author’s signature on the recto of the first page is sharp, clearly legible and without blotches. Only very light pencil notes and cataloging marks at the top margin.
Binding and Dust Jacket: The red cloth binding is solid and well-preserved. The original dust jacket shows typical signs of age: light tanning and foxing on the rear panel, minor edge and corner wear along the spine, and a small reinforcement with vintage tape inside the flap (clearly visible in the attached photos). An authentic, genuine copy of enormous collectible charm.