The Fairy Wrens. A Monograph Of The Maluridae. Illustrated By Richard Weatherly. Schodde, Richard. Ornithology Monographs

pp.203 with colour plates of illus. and b/w. illus. to text. Folio. Light speckling to top-edge of text-block o/w. a fine hardback in fine dw. gently sunned to spine. From the library of ornithologist, artist, author and editor Robert Gillmor MBE with the dedication ‘For Robert, In sincere gratitude for all your help and instruction when I first started. You never know: you may have been the cause of all this! Richard Weatherly’on the half-title page. Loosely inserted is a colour print of Campbell’s Fairy-Wren (20cm x 25cm) by Richard Weatherley inscribed ‘For Robert, who tried to teach me how to paint!’ Also inserted is a very insightful and personal two-page handwritten letter (dated 20th January 1983) from Weatherley to Gillmor. A wonderful copy. In the letter (amongst other fascinating insights) Richard Weatherley offers his ‘deep gratitude’ for Robert Gillmor’s kindness and generosity when first starting his career as bird artist. He goes on to ask Gillmor if he experiences the same dissatisfaction with the quality of his works reproduction. He ends by issuing an open invitation to visit ‘the Antipodes’ and offering this book as a token of his gratitude.