Flowers are far more intriguing than many people suspect... Herbert Zim, 1950

{HISTORY}

First published in 1950, this Golden Press flower identification guide was written by Herbert Zim (1909-1994) and Alexander Martin. Herbert was a biologist, teacher, and founding editor of the Golden Nature Guides, as well as the author of Our Wonderful World and the Golden Natural History Encyclopedia. To say that he was a household name in the 1950s was a bit of an understatement.  Herbert's books sold over 110 million copies throughout his career and were translated into a dozen languages around the world - a beloved author for any child's bookshelf.  Alexander was a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service working at a research refuge in Maryland, as well as the author of several botany books.

Together, Herbert and Alexander compiled this colorful little book detailing how to identify commonly found wildflowers in the American landscape.  Aimed at children and young adults, this field guide encouraged kids of the 1950s to get outside and explore their yard, city, state, and countryside in search of the unplanned and plotted wildflowers that popped up in the natural landscape all on their own accord.

Seventy years later, this book is still just as engaging for kids and adults as it was in the 1950s. Full of colorful illustrations by well-known American artist Rudolf Freund (1915-1969), here in this book, he beautifully captures the visual vibrancy of over 130 flowers in their natural settings. 

Brief fun facts and identification notes are included with all wildflower listings as well as each plant's geographic location, leaf shape, flower shape, soil conditions, and seed pod identification. 

Now a hard-to-find, hardcover edition amongst the Golden Nature Guides, this edition can be recognized by its celadon green cover and slightly larger size than the paperback version, which contains a dark teal cover. 

Photo of Herbert Zim courtesy of the Miami Herald, Dec 7th, 1994

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Published in 1950

- 157 pages

- Includes profiles on 200 different types of wildflowers and includes 134 color renditions. 

- Pocket size

- Illustrated on every page by Rudolf Freund

{CONDITION}

In lovely vintage condition, this book contains some light foxing on the front and back endpapers as well as light tanning on the fore-edge. The interior pages are clean and bright and contain no spots, stains, or notations. The spine is tight and all pages are intact.

{SIZE}

Measures 6.25" inches (length) x 4.25" inches (width) x .50" inches (thickness) and weighs 6 oz.

{FOR THE LOVE OF NATURE}

Find more Golden Nature Guides and other identification books here.