A thoughtfully curated mid-century natural history bundle featuring three iconic field guides that defined how Americans learned about birds, trees, and insects in the 20th century.
These books blend scientific clarity with unmistakable mid-century design—bold covers, practical layouts, and illustration-forward teaching. Inside you’ll find identification keys, color photography, line drawings, and regional maps designed for real use in the field or at home. Photo-verified, complete, and ready for both reading and display.
Quick Specs
Item Type: Vintage hardcover & spiral-bound book bundle (3 volumes)
Size:
- Birds: 7 × 4 × 1 in
- Trees: 8 × 5 × 1 in
- Insects: 9 × 6 × 0.5 in
Material: Paper, cloth boards, printed paper covers, metal spiral binding
Color: Blue, green, orange, black, multicolor interiors
Origin or Maker: Houghton Mifflin; Simon & Schuster; Wm. C. Brown Company
Year or Era: Mid-20th century (1950s–1970s)
GENRE: Natural History
Language / Pages: English; approx. 765+ pages total
Identifiers: Simon & Schuster’s Guide to Trees ISBN 0-671-24129-9, LCCN 77-17896
Edition & Features
A Field Guide to the Birds — Roger Tory Peterson
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Edition/Printing: Not provided
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Pages: 230
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Features: Color plates, identification system, Audubon Society sponsorship
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Notes: Handwritten notes on back page; visible edge wear and staining from stored newspaper clippings
Simon & Schuster’s Guide to Trees
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Edition/Printing: Not provided
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Pages: 330+ pages plus glossary and index
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Features: Full-color photography, botanical drawings, range maps, identification keys
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Notes: Clean interior; strong visual presence
How to Know the Insects — H. E. Jaques
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Edition/Printing: Second Edition
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Pages: 205 pages plus blank note pages
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Binding: Metal spiral
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Features: Illustrated keys, taxonomic charts, dense line drawings for identification
Condition Grade: Good (set overall)
Notes:
- All books complete and intact
- Expected age-related wear throughout
- Bird guide shows most wear: page edge staining, written notes on rear page
- Insect guide shows toning near spiral; coil secure and functional
- Tree guide presents very well with clean pages
See all photos for detail—sold as pictured.
Condition Grade Key
Near Fine: minimal wear; tight; clean.
Very Good: light wear; clean text; minor flaws.
Good: noticeable wear; sound reading copy; some marks.
Fair: heavy wear; complete but worn; priced accordinglyProvenance & Notes
Likely sourced from a personal nature or field study library. Evidence of real use consistent with educational field guides. No dust jackets present. No bookplates noted.
About the Authors
Roger Tory Peterson revolutionized bird identification for everyday readers, shaping modern field guide design. Simon & Schuster’s Fireside guides brought European botanical scholarship to American audiences. H. E. Jaques was a respected biology professor whose illustrated keys became staples in classrooms and field kits.
A handsome, honest set—perfect for readers who love books that were meant to be used.
Disclaimer
The vintage items I share with you have been previously owned and loved and may show some wear. Please use the pictures as a guide. While I do my best to capture colors accurately, your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.
Care & Handling: Handle with clean, dry hands. Store upright, out of direct sunlight, at about 68°F and 40–50% relative humidity. Avoid damp areas and extreme temperature swings. Please note: If you have any questions or need more photos, ask.
About Reading Vintage
At Reading Vintage, I curate one-of-a-kind treasures for book lovers, decorators, and collectors—including vintage books, retro bookends, and charming collectible pieces.
