Common Veld Flowers Rhodesia 1940 First Edition Illustrated Flora Guide
 
Title & Bibliographic Details
Title: Common Veld Flowers: An Introduction to the Beauties of the Rhodesian Veld for Rhodesians and Visitors Alike
Series: Look Around You Series No. 1
Authors:
J. C. F. Hopkins, D.Sc. (Lond.), A.I.C.T.A. Senior Plant Pathologist, Department of Agriculture
Aline L. Bacon, B.Sc. Professional Assistant in Botany and Plant Pathology
L. M. Gyde, B.Sc. Science Mistress, Girls' High School, Salisbury
Publisher: Rhodesia Scientific Association
Printer: Printed at the Herald Office, Salisbury
Published by the Rhodesia Scientific Association and printed at the Herald Office, Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe), in January 1940.
Publication Date: January 1940
Edition: First Edition
 
Historical & Bibliographic Context
Published in January 1940 by the Rhodesia Scientific Association, Common Veld Flowers was produced to encourage appreciation of the indigenous flora of Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). It formed the inaugural volume of the ambitious "Look Around You" series, intended to introduce both residents and visitors to the natural history of the colony through accessible, well-illustrated handbooks.
As explained in the Preface, earlier botanical works on Rhodesian plants were generally regarded as too technical for schools and the wider public. This handbook was therefore designed as an elementary guide, richly illustrated to aid identification and stimulate an interest in local natural history. The Association hoped that its success would lead to companion volumes covering butterflies, reptiles and prehistoric archaeology.
Today the book provides not only a practical botanical guide but also a fascinating insight into colonial scientific education and the development of natural history publishing in Southern Rhodesia during the early twentieth century.
 
About the Authors
J. C. F. Hopkins served as Senior Plant Pathologist in the Rhodesian Department of Agriculture and was a respected authority on the region's flora and plant diseases.
Aline L. Bacon worked professionally in botany and plant pathology, contributing to botanical education and research within Southern Rhodesia.
L. M. Gyde taught science at the Girls' High School in Salisbury, helping make botanical knowledge accessible to younger readers.
 
About the Illustrations
The volume is illustrated throughout with a combination of black-and-white photographs, botanical line drawings, identification diagrams and explanatory illustrations. These were carefully selected to enable reliable recognition of indigenous Rhodesian wildflowers and remain both attractive and scientifically informative.
 
Binding & Exterior Condition
Bound in the publisher's original cloth over thick card boards featuring an attractive botanical illustration in orange, yellow and black to the front board with matching black and orange lettering.
The binding remains complete and structurally sound. Age-related wear includes rubbing to the cloth, particularly around the corners and edges, fraying to the cloth at the extremities with slight cloth separation from the boards at the corners, light marks throughout and some bubbling to the rear board. Despite these signs of use, the colourful pictorial cover retains excellent visual appeal.
 
Interior Condition
The pages are lightly toned with age and remain generally neat throughout. There is slight rubbing to the inner margins of a few pages, not affecting either text or illustrations, together with occasional light creases and small marks consistent with careful use.
A small tear is present at the inner margin of the front board. A small handful of leaves have separated slightly from the lower inner margin but remain firmly attached and secure within the binding.
The original owner preserved a pressed grass specimen between pages 102 and 103, where it remains today. It is offered exactly as found and provides a delightful period feature reflecting the book's intended use as a field guide.
The binding remains secure overall with light gutter openings between a few gatherings and between the final page and rear free endpaper.
Collation checked complete. All 124 pages are present.
 
Provenance
This copy bears a charming contemporary presentation inscription on the front pastedown, apparently reading:
"À mon petit Stephen qui aime toutes les fleurs. Ton Daddy. Salisbury. 17.8.43."
This may be translated as:
"To my little Stephen, who loves all flowers. From Daddy. Salisbury. 17 August 1943."
Presented only three years after publication, the inscription places the book firmly within wartime Salisbury and adds a warm personal connection to its history. The retained pressed grass specimen between pages 102 and 103 further enhances its character as a well-loved botanical companion.
 
Physical Details
Pagination: 124 pages
Dimensions: Approximately 24.3 × 15.7 × 1.1 cm
Weight: Approximately 301 g