Vintage Bird Feeding Guide Hardcover by John V. Dennis 1986 Knopf Nature Book with Dust Jacket

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Vintage bird feeding guide by John V. Dennis, a well regarded reference for attracting and identifying backyard birds, complete with its original dust jacket.

This illustrated hardcover explains feeder selection, bird foods, and the habits of many common North American birds, making it a useful reference for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

Details

  • Item: Hardcover Book
  • Title: A Complete Guide to Bird Feeding
  • Author: John V. Dennis
  • Illustrator: Matthew Kalmenoff
  • Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
  • Year: 1975 copyright, thirteenth printing February 1986
  • Edition/Printing: Thirteenth Printing
  • Format: Hardcover
  • Dust Jacket: Present
  • Pages: 288
  • Genre: Nature, Birdwatching Reference
  • Special Features: Illustrated throughout with black and white drawings, bibliography and index
  • ISBN: 0-394-47937-8
  • Size: 9 x 8 x 1.5 inches

Condition Grade: Very Good

Positives

  • Pages are clean, bright, and legible.
  • Dust jacket is present and the binding appears solid.

Issues / Wear

  • Dust jacket shows light edge wear and minor creasing visible in the photos.
  • Small bumps and light shelf wear to the jacket corners.

See all photos for detail. Sold as pictured.

Condition Grade Key

  • Near Fine: Almost perfect. Very minor signs of age only.
  • Very Good: Shows light use. Sound and attractive with minor flaws.
  • Good: Complete and intact. Noticeable wear consistent with age and use.
  • Fair: Shows significant wear. Readable or usable but clearly used.

Collector's Notes

When first published, this became one of the best known guides for backyard bird feeding and bird friendly gardens.

It is a practical choice for birdwatchers, backyard naturalists, or anyone building a vintage nature library.

This copy includes its original illustrated dust jacket and a later 1986 printing.

A solid reading copy that is ready for another season beside the bird feeder.

Shipping + Trust (Reading Vintage standards)

  1. Photo-verified condition (no surprises)
  2. Packed with our protective packaging standard
  3. Ships in 1 business day
  4. Free Shipping on $35+ (U.S. only)

Disclaimer

All items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece—please review them carefully, as they are part of the description. 

Care and 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. 

Good to Know Before You Buy

Yes. Every photo on this page is the actual item you will receive. Not a stock photo, not a similar copy. What you see is what ships.

Honestly. This is vintage, so expect some age. When I find wear, writing, stains, loose pages, chips, or missing pieces, I note them and show them in the photos. Some marks add character. Some are just flaws. I tell you which is which so you can decide if this is the right one for you.

With care. Old books and fragile pieces are wrapped and boxed so they arrive the way they left me. Careful packing is one of the things buyers mention most in their reviews. Orders of $35 or more ship free.

Probably not. Everything here is one of a kind, and I rarely find the same item twice. Once it sells, it is gone. Vintage does not restock neatly.