Publication: London, Frederick Warne & Co., Ltd., 1932

Formatting: Small 8vo, pp. [xxvi], 238.

Condition Report: Very Good. The original brown leatherette binding remains firm and squarely bound, maintaining a remarkably tight text block. The gilt insect tooling and lettering to the front board and spine remain bright and unoxidised, presenting attractively on the shelf. There is some minor rubbing to the corners and a touch of shelf-wear along the extremities, alongside a few faint, small areas of superficial wear to the lower rear board. Internally, the page edges are subtly toned, typical of the paper stock from this era, yet the leaves themselves are exceptionally clean, crisp, and free from any significant foxing or dampstaining. 

Catalogue Note: This is a true first edition of Edward Step's beloved entomological work, published as part of Frederick Warne’s highly successful Wayside and Woodland series.

Bound in the series' traditional brown leatherette cloth, the volume boasts an impressive array of visual aids. It includes 44 colour plates displaying 470 figures, 67 black-and-white plates with 170 photographic reproductions, and 64 wing maps designed to aid in field identification.

While first editions of this title lacking their original dust jackets are relatively common on the open market, they remain highly sought-after by Wayside and Woodland collectors and British natural history enthusiasts due to their detailed charm and historical significance.

Edward Step’s Bees, Wasps, Ants & Allied Insects of the British Isles offers a classic, comprehensive foray into the complex world of the Hymenoptera order. Designed for both the amateur field naturalist and the seasoned entomologist, this volume delves into the social structures, habits, and identification of Britain’s native bees, wasps, ants, and their relatives. With its vivid colour plates and precise anatomical wing maps, the book serves not only as a functional field guide of its time but as a beautiful, enduring celebration of Britain's intricate insect ecosystems.