Dartmoor Collins New Naturalist No. 27 (1970) | Collectible Books

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

There’s a particular thrill that hits me whenever I spot a copy of a Collins New Naturalist series book in good shape. It’s not just the attractive spines or the iconic dust jacket art – though those certainly play a part. It’s the promise of holding a piece of natural history scholarship, beautifully presented, and utterly dedicated to the British landscape. The way the heavy paper feels, the crispness of the plates, the scent of an older book that’s been cared for – it all adds up to an experience unique to this series. Today, I’m excited to talk about one such find: L.A. Harvey and D. St Leger-Gordon’s “Dartmoor,” volume 27 in that legendary Collins New Naturalist lineup, a 1970 reprint that really shows its class.

Currently available: A copy of this item is in our collection — listed at $38. View listing on eBay →

The Enduring Allure of the Collins New Naturalist Series

If you’ve spent any time collecting natural history books, you’ll know the Collins New Naturalist series. For many of us, it’s not just a series, it’s the series. Launched right after World War II in 1945, these books weren’t just pretty picture books; they were a foundational effort to survey, document, and truly understand the natural landscapes of the UK. Each volume became a record, a snapshot of its subject matter, crafted with both scientific precision and a deep love for the natural world.

What gets me every time is the sheer ambition of the project. Britain was recovering, looking inward, and finding pride in its own unique ecology. These books gave people a way to connect with that. They weren’t dumbed down; they were written by leading experts in their fields, people who knew their subjects inside out. But they were also incredibly accessible, inviting laypeople to explore everything from the habits of British mammals to the specific flora of a particular region.

For collectors, there are so many layers of appeal. First, the intellectual content is top-notch. These books are still referenced today, holding up as solid works of ecological scholarship. Second, the production quality. Collins didn’t skimp. The bindings, the paper, the printing – it’s all built to last, which is why we’re still finding copies in fantastic condition decades later. Then there are those dust jackets. Often designed by artists like Clifford and Rosemary Ellis, they’re instantly recognizable and, for many, a huge part of the series’ visual identity. They elevate the books from mere academic texts to works of art in their own right, making them something you genuinely want to display on your shelves. In my experience picking these up over the years, a good dust jacket can easily double or triple the value of a clean copy, just because it completes the aesthetic.

Dartmoor: A Deep Dive into the Moor

Volume 27, “Dartmoor,” takes us right into the wild heart of Devon, exploring one of Britain’s most iconic and mysterious landscapes. Written by L.A. Harvey and D. St Leger-Gordon, this book is more than just a guidebook; it’s a comprehensive ecological study. They don’t just tell you what lives on the moor; they explain why it does, delving into the geology, the climate, the historical human impact, and the intricate web of life that thrives there.

Harvey, a zoologist, and St Leger-Gordon, a botanist and local expert, were the perfect team to tackle such a complex subject. They bring a scientist’s eye to the unique challenges and adaptations of Dartmoor’s flora and fauna – from the tough moorland plants that withstand the harsh winds and acidic soils, to the specialized insects and birds that call this place home. When you read their descriptions, you don’t just learn facts; you feel the raw, untamed spirit of the moor. You can practically hear the wind whipping across the tors and smell the damp earth.

What I personally appreciate about books like this within the series is their focus on regional studies. While other volumes might cover broader subjects like “British Birds” or “Fungi,” “Dartmoor” grounds you in a very specific place. It creates a detailed portrait, making you feel like you’ve spent weeks tramping across the heather yourself. It’s this granular detail, combined with the broader ecological context, that makes these specific regional volumes so enduringly popular with collectors and enthusiasts alike. They offer a window into a specific place at a specific time, capturing the environmental studies efforts of the mid-20th century.

The Specifics of This Edition: More Than Just a Date

Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of this particular copy. When you’re collecting Collins New Naturalist books, the edition and print run can tell you a lot – and they can drastically affect value. My copy of “Dartmoor” is a 1970 reprint of the Revised Second Edition, which itself was originally published in 1962. The true first edition, for those chasing the earliest copies, dates all the way back to 1949.

So, why bother with a 1970 reprint when the first is out there? Well, for starters, the 1949 first edition is notoriously hard to find in anything approaching decent condition, and when you do, it commands a hefty premium. More importantly, this 1970 reprint has its own unique points of interest that make it a fascinating piece for the discerning collector.

The biggest giveaway for this specific print run is right there on the dust jacket: the price. It’s listed as £2.25. Now, for those unfamiliar with British currency history, this is a decimalized price. The UK officially switched to decimal currency in February 1971. This means that while the book itself says “1970 reprint,” it was either printed in very late 1970 for sale immediately following decimalization, or more likely, issued or sold sometime after February 1971. This little detail isn’t just a quirky historical note; it’s a concrete bibliographic marker, a timestamp that tells you exactly when this particular batch hit the shelves. It distinguishes it immediately from earlier 1962 or 1949 printings, which would have carried prices in shillings and pence (like “45s” or similar).

Another important clue for us collectors is the presence of an SBN (Standard Book Number), which later evolved into the ISBN. This was a relatively new system being adopted around the late 1960s and early 1970s. Its inclusion further confirms this copy’s place in time, cementing it as a product of that specific publishing era. These little details might seem small to some, but for those of us who appreciate the history of books and printing, they’re like decoding a secret message from the past. They provide a precise anchor point in the often-murky waters of reprints and editions.

A Visual Feast: Plates, Maps, and That Buckram Cover

Beyond the textual content, the physical presentation of these Collins New Naturalist books is a huge part of their charm. And this copy of “Dartmoor” truly shines here.

Let’s start with the boards. We’re looking at outstanding green buckram boards. If you’ve never handled a book bound in buckram, it’s a specific type of cloth, often linen or cotton, that’s stiffened and treated for durability. It has a lovely texture, almost a subtle weave that you can feel under your fingertips. It’s hard-wearing, and on this copy, it’s just superb – no fading, no major rubs, still vibrant and fresh. Then there’s the spine: exceptionally bright gold gilt lettering. This isn’t just some dull, tarnished gold. It gleams, catching the light beautifully, making the title and authors really pop. It’s a testament to both the original production quality and the care this book has received over the past five decades.

Inside, the book truly comes alive. It features a generous 17 vibrant color plates. These aren’t just decorative inserts; they’re integral to the natural history narrative, depicting various species and landscapes with a striking clarity. I always look for specific mentions in the plate list, and here, there’s a lovely detail: a specific mention of the Emperor Moth larva on heather. It’s a small thing, but it illustrates the level of specificity and beauty these illustrations bring. Alongside the color plates, there are 36 black and white photographs. These often provide further detail, context, and a more documentary feel to the text, showing habitats, geological features, or more common species.

And of course, no regional natural history book would be complete without a good map. This volume includes a crisp, double-page map of Dartmoor National Park. It’s not just functional; it’s beautifully rendered, allowing you to follow the geographical references in the text and visualize the terrain the authors are describing. For me, these maps are always a highlight; they’re a quiet invitation to explore, even if it’s just from my armchair. The combination of tactile binding, detailed text, and rich illustrations makes holding one of these books a truly immersive experience.

Rarity and Condition: Why This Copy is Special

Okay, let’s talk about rarity. Some might hear “1970 reprint” and think it’s not particularly rare. And compared to the true 1949 first edition, sure, it’s not as scarce. But here’s the thing: finding any volume from the Collins New Naturalist series from the 1970s, or even earlier, in Near Fine condition with its original Very Good dust jacket, is becoming increasingly difficult.

Think about it: these were books meant to be used, read, and studied. They traveled to the countryside, were pored over in libraries, and sat on countless bookshelves where sunlight faded their spines. Many dust jackets were discarded, torn, or simply wore away. To find a copy like this, with its boards unfaded, its gilt lettering bright, and that original dust jacket largely intact and clean, is a genuine pleasure.

In my years of collecting, I’ve seen plenty of worn, foxed, or jacketless copies. They’re still wonderful books for reading, of course, but for a collector, condition is paramount. A Near Fine book means minimal wear to the covers, tight binding, and clean pages, free from heavy markings. A Very Good dust jacket means it has some minor edge wear or perhaps a tiny closed tear, but it’s still complete, bright, and doing its job of protecting the book and presenting that iconic artwork. This specific copy ticks those boxes, making it a cut above most of what you’ll find out there. It’s not just a book; it’s a survivor, a well-preserved artifact from a golden age of natural history publishing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Collins New Naturalist series so collectible?

Oh, where to begin? Collectors really love the Collins New Naturalist series for a few key reasons. First, the content is top-notch; it’s genuinely authoritative and comprehensive, covering British natural history with real scientific rigor. Second, the production quality is superb – from the bindings to the illustrations, these books were made to last. And let’s not forget those iconic, often beautiful, dust jacket designs. They played a huge role in shaping public understanding of UK ecology and conservation through accessible yet incredibly detailed texts, making them culturally and historically important as well.

Is this a first edition of ‘Dartmoor’?

No, this particular book is a 1970 reprint. It’s a reprint of the Revised Second Edition, which originally came out in 1962. The true first edition of “Dartmoor,” which is volume 27 in the series, was published much earlier, in 1949. While the first edition is certainly rarer and more sought after by some, this 1970 reprint offers its own unique appeal, particularly given its excellent condition and the historical markers on its dust jacket.

What is the significance of the decimalized price on the dust jacket?

The decimalized price you see on the dust jacket, £2.25, is actually a really cool little historical detail for collectors. It tells us that this specific print run was either produced or, more likely, sold during or after February 1971, which is when the UK officially switched from pounds, shillings, and pence to a decimal currency system. So, even though the book itself states a “1970 reprint” year, that decimal price acts as a precise dating feature, confirming its post-decimalization issue. It’s a key marker that distinguishes it from earlier printings.

About This Copy

This 1970 reprint of “Dartmoor” by L.A. Harvey and D. St Leger-Gordon is a beautiful example of the Collins New Naturalist series. The book itself is in Near Fine condition, with its vibrant green buckram boards and bright gold gilt lettering on the spine looking remarkably fresh. The original dust jacket is Very Good, showing only minor shelf wear that is entirely expected for its age, but remains bright and whole. A neat owner inscription dated 1972 on the front endpaper adds a touch of historical provenance to this particular copy, a quiet reminder of its journey through time.

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L.A. Harvey and D. St Leger-Gordon on Ink & Mint