John White
Melbourne: Edition Renard, 2002.

Edition of 212 numbered copies, 200 only for sale, this one of 150 numbered copies of the Standard Edition. This sumptuous new edition is reprinted with the text entirely reset in Garamond, attractively printed in black, red, and green, and the plates enlarged by 50%. The plates, by Sarah Stone, F. P. Nodder, and other fine artists comprise 29 of birds (including splendid parrots), 10 of reptiles and amphibians, 7 mammals (marsupials and the Dingo), 6 of fishes, 9 of plants (including magnificent Banksias), 2 of invertebrates, and 2 of Aboriginal weapons and artefacts. In the original edition the leaf Hh4 is cancelled in some copies with a variant text describing in the cancelled state a description of the Wattled Bee-Eater, or Merops, Female and in the uncancelled state a description of the male bird. Both texts have been reproduced here and there are some bibliographical and publishing notes appended. This was the first natural history book on Australia of any significance to be published after the arrival of the First Fleet and has never before been republished with the plates in colour. Edition Renard was awarded two Gold Medals at the 20th National Print Awards, and a Certificate of Manufacturing Excellence of the Victorian Manufacturers Hall of Fame for this book, the first publication under the imprint.