Raymond Sheppard and Birds of Woodland and Hedgerow by Elizabeth Gould

 

Birds of Woodland and Hedgerow - Front and back cover

 This is the fourth book alphabetically in the series by Elizabeth Gould, but third in order within the single volume My Little Bird Book, (1952). When this title was published by Blackie and Son, in November 1950 at 1/6d all four titles were simultaneously published and then in 1952 combined into My Little Bird Book 

I've also previously mentioned there are no title pages to each individual volume.  The cover to Birds of Woodland and Hedgerow shows a large pheasant in the foreground - normally a field bird, being squawked at by a jay and in the background are a tree creeper, nuthatch plus a woodpecker!

So let's look at the Raymond Sheppard full colour artwork for this book

BIRDS OF WOODLAND AND HEDGEROW

Wood Pigeon

Owls

Nightingale

Pheasant

Willow Warbler

Goldcrest

Green Woodpecker

Nuthatch

Tree Creeper

Jay

Rook

Magpie

Of all 63 images Sheppard drew for these books (plus covers) this is the only drawing which has his signature! Blackie were not averse to showing artists' signatures, so was this Sheppard indicating a favourite bird or favourite painting?

Yellow-Hammer

Long-tailed Tit

Goldfinch

Bullfinch 

Raymond Sheppard and Birds of Moorland, Hill and Sea by Elizabeth Gould

 

Birds of Moorland, Hill and Sea - Front and back cover

This is the third book alphabetically in the series by Elizabeth Gould, but fourth in order within the single volume My Little Bird Book, (1952). This title was published, like the other three, in 1950 - before the combined book of 1952. The book, published by Blackie and Son, came out in November 1950 at 1/6d. 

I've also previously mentioned there are no title pages to each individual volume.  The cover to Birds of Moorland, Hill and Sea shows seaside birds - thankfully, Sheppard ever the professional knew it would be really difficult to show all three types covered by the title!

So let's look at the Raymond Sheppard full colour artwork for this book

BIRDS OF MOORLAND, HILL AND SEA

Rock Pipit 

 

Herring Gull

Jackdaw

Oyster-catcher

Common Tern

Cormorant

Puffins

 

Gannet

Golden Plover

Redshank

Ring Ouzel

Curlew

Dunlin

Black-headed Gull

Linnet

Wheatear  

So that's the third book done, 

NEXT: Birds of Woodland and Hedgerow 

Raymond Sheppard and Birds of Meadow and Stream by Elizabeth Gould

Birds of Meadow and Stream

We've been looking at Elizabeth Gould's 'bird' books starting with My Little Book of Birds (1952). Birds of Meadow and Stream (1950) is the second book in the Blackie and Son series (all 4 of which make up the 1952 book) we see birds in their natural environment plus the occasional look at their eggs. As I've already stated the size of these books (7.5 x 5.5 inches) means some of the art is not as clear as it could be, but I would love to see any originals of these pieces!.

The cover shows five species of bird unlikely to be together in one spot but beautifully illustrative of the book's content.

 BIRDS OF MEADOW AND STREAM 

Meadow Pipit

Skylark

Cuckoo

Lapwing

Spotted Flycatcher

Pied Wagtail

Grey Wagtail

The Dipper

The Moorhen

The Coot

Kingfisher

Little Grebe

Heron

It's interesting to me to note that of all 64 images produced for this series, this Heron image is the only one which has two parts - adding to the page drama.

Sand Martin

Reed Warbler

 

Sedge Warbler

Notice the signature mark - for bookbinding identification - "G. 462" as this is the last page of 16. 

NEXT: We look at Birds of Moorland, Hill and Sea