Collins New Naturalist – 73 – The New Forest – First Edition – 1986

Author: Tubbs, Colin R.
Publisher: Collins
Price: £75 including postage in the UK
Publication Date: 1986
Edition: First edition
Size: Octavo
Binding: Original green cloth. Dustwrapper
Condition: Fine in near fine dustwrapper

Condition:

Dustwrapper artwork by Robert Gillmor. Cloth bright and clean with clean text block. A fine, tight, clean copy in near fine, clean dustwrapper which is slightly spine-faded. We usually have first editions of all the New Naturalist Series in stock, please contact us for more details.

The New Forest: New Naturalist 73: A Brief Overview

Overview

The New Forest, volume 73 in the Collins New Naturalist series (published 1986), is a comprehensive regional natural history of one of Britain’s most ecologically distinctive lowland landscapes. True to the ethos of the series, the book treats the New Forest not as untouched woodland but as a cultural landscape of great antiquity, shaped by geology, grazing, common rights, forestry, and long continuity of management.

The volume stands as one of the most important late-twentieth-century syntheses of the Forest’s ecology and history, written at a time when conservation concerns were intensifying but before National Park designation (which came in 2005).

Historical Foundations

Royal forest origins

The New Forest was established as a royal hunting forest by William I in the eleventh century, but the term “forest” historically denoted a legal designation rather than continuous tree cover. The book explains:

• The medieval forest law system
• The persistence of common rights (grazing, pannage, turbary)
• The continuity of open grazing regimes

These rights are shown to be ecologically formative, not merely historical curiosities.

Geology and Soils

The Forest lies largely on Tertiary sands, clays, and gravels, producing:

• Acidic soils
• Poor drainage in places
• A mosaic of heath, bog, and woodland

Soil variation underpins habitat diversity, particularly the coexistence of dry heath and valley mire within short distances.

Major Habitats

Ancient woodland

The New Forest contains extensive tracts of ancient broadleaved woodland, dominated by:

• Oak
• Beech
• Holly

The book examines natural regeneration, pollarding traditions, and the ecological value of veteran trees. Dead wood and decaying timber are highlighted as critical for fungi and invertebrates.

Heathland

Open heath is a defining feature, maintained by:

• Grazing by ponies and cattle
• Historical burning
• Nutrient-poor soils

Heather, gorse, and acid grassland communities are analysed in relation to grazing intensity and atmospheric deposition.

Valley mires and bog

One of the most ecologically important habitats is the valley mire system, characterised by:

• Sphagnum moss
• Bog asphodel
• Sundews

These wetlands are highly sensitive to drainage, trampling, and nutrient input.

Fauna

Mammals

Species include:

• Deer (fallow, roe, and red)
• New Forest ponies (semi-feral, but managed)
• Small woodland mammals

The ecological consequences of grazing pressure are examined in detail.

Birds

The Forest supports:

• Woodland passerines
• Raptors
• Nightjar and woodlark on heath

Bird populations are discussed in relation to habitat structure and human disturbance.

Invertebrates

The New Forest is nationally significant for invertebrates, especially:

• Deadwood beetles
• Lepidoptera associated with heath and woodland
• Wetland specialists

The continuity of habitat over centuries is shown to underpin this richness.

Forestry and Management

Plantations and timber

The Forestry Commission’s twentieth-century conifer plantations are assessed critically but objectively. The book explains:

• The economic rationale for timber production
• The ecological impact of coniferisation
• Gradual shifts toward more sensitive management

The tension between commercial forestry and ecological integrity is a recurring theme.

Commoning and Grazing

Perhaps the defining ecological process in the New Forest is common grazing. Ponies, cattle, and pigs shape:

• Vegetation structure
• Tree regeneration
• Heathland persistence

The book makes clear that without grazing, much open heath would revert to scrub and woodland. The Forest is therefore a product of sustained human–animal interaction.

Conservation Context (1986)

By the mid-1980s, pressures included:

• Increased recreation and tourism
• Road traffic
• Agricultural intensification around the Forest margins
• Nutrient enrichment

The volume anticipates the need for landscape-scale conservation planning, decades before formal National Park status.

Style and Place within the Series

Volume 73 represents the mature ecological phase of the New Naturalist series:

• Strong integration of history and ecology
• Emphasis on management as ecological process
• Clear conservation awareness without polemic

It sits alongside Dartmoor and The Hebrides as one of the most substantial regional landscape volumes.

Concluding Assessment

The New Forest (New Naturalist 73, 1986) presents the Forest as neither primeval woodland nor simply managed countryside, but as a long-inhabited, legally defined landscape whose biodiversity depends on continuity of traditional practices.

Its enduring value lies in demonstrating that ecological richness can arise from sustained, structured human use — and that conservation in such places requires maintenance of systems, not withdrawal from them.

The Collins New Naturalist Series: A Brief Overview

Introduction

The Collins New Naturalist series is one of the most significant and enduring achievements in British natural history publishing. Launched in 1945 by William Collins, Sons & Co. (now HarperCollins), the series set out to provide authoritative yet accessible accounts of British wildlife, habitats, and ecological principles. Over the decades it has become both a scientific resource and a cultural artefact, revered by naturalists, collectors, researchers, and book lovers alike.

The longevity and influence of the series stem from its commitment to expert authorship, high editorial standards, and a consistent mission: to bring the study of nature to the general reader without compromising scientific integrity.

Origins and Founding Vision

The series emerged in post-war Britain, during a period when public interest in the natural world was expanding. Scientific knowledge had accelerated rapidly during the first half of the twentieth century, and there was a growing appetite for well-written, engaging texts that could bridge the divide between academic research and amateur natural history.

The founding editors—most notably Sir Julian Huxley, James Fisher, and Dudley Stamp—had a clear and ambitious vision:

• To promote ecological literacy among the wider public
• To document the natural history of the British Isles in a coherent, scientifically rigorous format
• To invite leading authorities in their fields to contribute specialist volumes
• To cultivate an informed readership capable of understanding conservation issues

This vision aligned with a broader national desire to reconnect with the British landscape after the dislocation of the war years.

The Early Volumes

The first title, Butterflies by E. B. Ford, set the tone for the series: scholarly yet readable, richly illustrated, and grounded in the most current scientific thinking of its time. The format was instantly recognisable: octavo hardbacks with striking dust-jacket designs by the celebrated artists Clifford and Rosemary Ellis. These covers remain iconic for their bold, stylised depictions of flora and fauna.

Early volumes covered a wide range of subjects, including:

• Birds
• Wild Flowers
• British Plant Life
• Mushrooms and Toadstools
• The Sea Shore

The series helped unify disparate strands of biological knowledge, presenting them in a systematic programme that readers could follow book by book.

Editorial Philosophy and Scientific Approach

The New Naturalist books have always been written by experts—academics, professional naturalists, ecologists, and field researchers—who bring first-hand experience and original research to their subjects.

Key editorial principles include:

1. Accuracy and Depth

Each volume is grounded in contemporary scientific understanding, often incorporating cutting-edge research. Many authors have been leading authorities in their fields.

2. Accessibility

Although scholarly, the books avoid jargon and are aimed at a broad readership. Field observations, historical anecdotes, and clear explanations help convey complex ecological processes.

3. Ecological Perspective

The series pioneered ecosystem-based approaches, examining species and habitats within broader environmental contexts. This ecological viewpoint was ahead of its time and has contributed to the series’ enduring relevance.

4. Long-term Documentation

Many volumes remain standards in their fields; some have become important historical records of environmental change across the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

Design and Production

The visual identity of the series is a major part of its appeal. The Ellis designs, used for most of the twentieth century, are among the most recognisable dust-jackets in publishing history. They combine decorative patterning with scientifically accurate depictions, transforming each book into an artwork as well as a source of information.

Internally, the books are distinguished by:

• High-quality monochrome photographs
• Detailed diagrams and distribution maps
• Clear typography and durable binding

Collectors prize first editions for their craftsmanship and rarity, particularly those with unfaded, unpriced jackets.

Themes and Range of Subjects

The scope of the New Naturalist is unusually broad, covering:

• Individual species groups (e.g., dragonflies, bats, hedgehogs)
• Ecosystems and habitats (e.g., moorlands, woodlands, the sea shore)
• Geographic regions (e.g., the Hebrides, the New Forest, the Yorkshire Dales)
• Ecological phenomena (e.g., animal migration, climate and the landscape)
• Human–nature interactions (e.g., conservation, farming and wildlife)

This diversity ensures that the series provides a near-encyclopaedic survey of British natural history.

Evolution and Continuing Legacy

Despite changes in publishing and scientific practice, the New Naturalist series has continued into the twenty-first century with new volumes commissioned regularly. Contemporary authors maintain the tradition of expert, research-led writing, while incorporating modern ecological concerns such as:

• Biodiversity loss
• Rewilding
• Climate change
• Shifting baselines in environmental science

The series also serves as a historical archive, documenting ecological changes across nearly eighty years. Early volumes can be read alongside recent ones to trace shifts in species distribution, land use, and national conservation priorities.

Impact on British Natural History

The New Naturalist series has shaped generations of British naturalists, influencing both professional scientific development and amateur enthusiasm. Its contributions include:

• Inspiring careers in ecology, zoology, and conservation
• Providing reference texts for universities, libraries, and field groups
• Raising public awareness of environmental issues long before they became mainstream
• Preserving detailed accounts of habitats and species now threatened or transformed

For many readers, the series has been a gateway to lifelong engagement with the natural world.

Collecting and Cultural Status

Beyond its scientific importance, the New Naturalist series is a major collecting field. First editions in pristine condition can command high prices, particularly rare or limited print runs. The combination of scholarly value, artistic design, and bibliophilic appeal gives many volumes a dual identity as both scientific texts and cultural objects.

Special editions, including leather-bound or slip-cased versions, have added further layers of desirability among collectors.

Conclusion

The Collins New Naturalist series stands as a monumental achievement in British publishing and environmental education. It has succeeded, for nearly eight decades, in balancing scientific rigour with literary clarity, making complex ecological knowledge available to the general reader. Its influence on conservation, ecological awareness, and natural history writing is profound and enduring.

Through its expert authorship, iconic design, and unwavering commitment to quality, the series remains a cornerstone of British natural history and continues to inspire readers, researchers, and collectors alike.

Cataloguer: Daniel Hornsey of Hornseys, Ripon: Specialist Dealer in First Editions and Fine Copies of the Collins New Naturalist Series

Daniel Hornsey, a partner of Hornseys in Ripon, is widely regarded as a trusted specialist in the field of modern British natural history books, with a particularly strong reputation for handling first editions and fine copies of the Collins New Naturalist series. His expertise has been built over many years of professional bookselling, during which he has developed a deep understanding of the series’ publishing history, bibliographic nuances, and the specific qualities that distinguish truly exceptional copies.

As a long-standing member of the antiquarian book trade, he has advised private collectors, curated catalogues, and sourced works for leading dealers, libraries and institutions across the world.

Hornseys, an established independent bookshop and gallery, is known for its careful curation and its emphasis on quality. Under Daniel Hornsey’s guidance, the shop has become a respected destination for collectors seeking rare, well-preserved, and accurately described volumes. He is recognised for his meticulous approach to condition assessment, his knowledge of dust-jacket variants and print histories, and his ability to source scarce titles—including early post-war first impressions, fine first editions and variant editions.

Collectors value his transparency, his attention to detail, and his commitment to presenting books exactly as they are, without exaggeration. This reliability is essential in a field where subtle differences in condition or printing can dramatically influence desirability and value. Whether advising a new collector or assisting an experienced bibliophile in completing a long-standing run, Daniel Hornsey combines practical bookselling experience with a genuine enthusiasm for the New Naturalist series.

Through Hornseys, he continues to contribute to the preservation, appreciation, and responsible circulation of these landmark works of British natural history publishing.

Hornseys’ exhibit regularly at book and map fairs in London and throughout the UK and as long-established specialists in fine books, maps, prints and ephemera, Hornseys maintains full professional membership of the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association (PBFA). The PBFA is one of the most respected trade bodies in the rare and antiquarian book world, with strict standards of expertise, authenticity and ethical trading. Our verified member listing can be viewed here: Hornseys – PBFA Member Profile.

Why buy from us?

At Hornseys, we are committed to offering items that meet the highest standards of quality and authenticity. Our book collection is meticulously curated to ensure that each edition is a valuable and authentic piece of bibliographical history. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Authenticity and Provenance: Every book is researched, collated, and verified for authenticity.
• Expert Curation: Each book is selected with a keen eye for significance, condition, and rarity, ensuring a collection that is both diverse and distinguished.
• Customer Satisfaction: We strive to provide an exceptional customer experience, from detailed descriptions and provenance to secure and prompt delivery of your purchase.
• Returns Policy: We offer an unconditional guarantee on every item. If you wish to make a return, books may be sent back to us within fourteen days of receipt for any reason. We request advance notification of returns, and books must be returned in the same condition as sent for a full refund.

Explore Our Collection:

Visit Hornseys to explore our fine collection of rare and signed books. Whether you are an avid collector or looking for a special gift, our selection offers something truly unique. Located in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, our Ripon gallery has been a haven for book lovers, art enthusiasts, and collectors since 1976.

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