David Attenborough views Birds Drawn for John Gould by Edward Lear | The Folio Society

The Folio Society presents a facsimile of David Attenborough's personal, complete collection of 19th-century bird plates drawn for John Gould by the great Edward Lear. David Attenborough first saw one of Lear’s plates in the 1950s, and was so struck by its precision and grace that he determined to collect them all. When the collection was complete, he had them bound in an original 19th-century leather binding case. To celebrate the bicentenary of Lear’s birth, Attenborough has kindly allowed us to reproduce the entire volume in facsimile. He has also written a superb introduction, especially for this limited edition, and signed each of the 780 copies. Here David discusses his collection and the edition with The Folio Society's Joe Whitlock Blundell. The Folio Society produces beautifully crafted collector’s editions of the world’s greatest books, each with unique illustrations or specially researched photographs throughout. Find the books you love at foliosociety.com. See this limited edition: www.foliosociety.com/book/ELB/edward-lear-s-birds