SKETCHES OF BIRD LIFE. By C.F. Tunnicliffe R.A. Introduction and commentary by Robert Gillmor.

1981 1st edition. Oblong 4to (265 x 246mm). Pages not numbered. Colour and b/w plates by Tunnicliffe. CFT monogram to tan boards, spine titled in black.

"From the mid-1930s for over 40 years Charles Tunnicliffe spent most of his daylight hours observing, drawing or painting birds. His purpose, originally, was to provide himself with reference sketches which could be used as source material for the work by which he earned his living. But he far overstepped the boundaries of this purpose and continued to accumulate many more sketches than he could possibly make use of... At his death, he left over 50 sketchbooks filled with superb drawings of birds, the legacy of years of acute observation and dedicated skill. These sketches were not intended for public exhibition or for sale, they were Tunnicliffe's private reference library compiled by himself for himself alone. Thus they are not dressed up for the market; the drawings show Tunnicliffe's art at its most pure because in these sketches he sought to satisfy and inform only himself. The sketches in this book have been chosen and arranged by Robert Gillmor, the well-known bird artist and an authority on Tunnicliffe's work, who has written the introduction and commentary. The emphasis here is on bird behaviour and the way the bird artist goes about his work..."