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

[@josepht2516]

Surreal to see this intimate moment with a man of status whom I've never known personally. His seniority is positively striking. Far be it from me as a stranger to remark on this- what draws my attention are the parallels between him and my father, who was quite advanced in age. Seniority becomes a reflection of how we have spent our time: proper for the body, and proper in seniority. Proper for the mind, proper in seniority. Reaching this age is only one of life's many challenges. Another challenge, I've learned, is to remain at our 'most able' until the end.

[@shoff29]

This is stunning. Though it appears I’m 9 years too late

[@hugoklaxkaiser2]

Facts.... serrated, agonising, face-palming facts... 😂

[@boadicea5856]

“The Eagle Owl Is The Best One” 🦅

[@great_victory]

Sir David Attenborough ❤️

[@christineMaccallum-uo3qx]

Legendary at work with fascinating story and facts and interesting event and other stuff and more events

[@patagoniensis]

Admirable...!!!!

[@ADNZ5442]

Brilliant🙏🙏

[@scottbrandon6244]

Probably over $1000 for this edition.

[@drgnslyer45]

every SS that ever lived. Mother Bird is back to teach you how to fly in the moonlight.

[@pameladuggan9910]

i want this book

[@RobertSlover]

only a rich asshole would 'need' this in a collection.

[@shaunpearson7905]

The Folio Society books are expensive. Particularly these limited editions especially one this big. But one only requires a job and a great love of books to add one to your library. The owner may or may not be an asshole, but that is a separate issue entirely. I own a couple other FS limited editions and I am not rich. Whether or not I'm an asshole depends on who you ask. I have the Letterpress Shakespeare of Hamlet for example. It was an immense amount of money for me, but I wanted a copy of a favourite work of literature in this format. Some own ALL of the Letterpress Shakespeare and that would require affluence.

[@696969Rude]

I'm curious - what is the bird with the "plaintiff expression"? Buzzard? Vulture?

[@dkbuss]

Egyptian vulture

[@696969Rude]

@@dkbuss Thanks Peter!

[@sierrasanders675]

plaintive not plaintiff i believe

[@michaelleeson6789]

@ 2:55 I can’t quite make out what is said?

[@rosebud1419]

I think the whole statement starting a few seconds earlier is…
“He’s very good on feet, Edward Lear.”
But the “Edward” is a bit broken into two parts.

[@LozaFoto]

wow where can i purchase a copy!

[@RobertSlover]

only a rich asshole would 'need' this in a collection.

[@selinapoochie]

@@RobertSlover why are you an asshole if you are rich? I can't afford it but there's no need to have a chip on your shoulder

[@ianmackenzie8584]

@@RobertSlover Only a poor, frustrated jerk would make that comment.

[@RobertSlover]

@@selinapoochie why? try reading a history book moron.....

[@RobertSlover]

@@ianmackenzie8584 and an even more useless person and comment emerges well done!

[@michaelleeson6789]

Badoni?.

[@user_soli]

Bodoni, as per the original...

[@danielstevens58]

What does it mean ​@@user_soli

[@user_soli]

​@@danielstevens58 Bodoni is a font type.

[@danielstevens58]

@@user_soli thank you 😊

[@thinkfacts459]

L9ol9

[@brianmattsson3263]

hvis davids røvhul var stort som det ikke er så ville han jo forsvinde op i det pip pip

[@SuperPussyFinger]

I like the idea of this book, but I have no interest in birds.

[@shaunpearson7905]

One would tend to think otherwise judging by your name.

[@Stijnoom]

@@shaunpearson7905This did not age well...

[@shaunpearson7905]

@@Stijnoom I think they still have the slang "birds", but you are SO right it has not aged well, like SuperPussyFinger...that's simply immortal

[@Jrdn357]

@@shaunpearson7905 What did SuperPussyFinger's username used to be? 🤣

[@christineMaccallum-uo3qx]

😂😂😂