Ericas of South Africa (Collector’s edition of 100 numbered copies, this is copy no. 1 presented to ‘The Publisher’ by the authors)

Pp. (1, limitation), (8), 9-272; 750+ color photographs of species of Erica and its habitats (some are full page plates), double-page color map of the major distribution area of Ericas in South Africa, single page color map of the highest concentration of Ericas in the south-western Cape Province, full page color drawing of the anatomical parts of Erica.  One half black morocco leather, spine is lettered in gilt with the title and author, set off by gilt panel lines, base of spine is illustrated with a gilt leaf, over turquoise-blue cloth boards illustrated with central gilt Erica plant, endpapers with central embossed leaf design, in a turquoise-blue cloth-covered slipcase with a color photo of Erica flower inset into the front slipcase cover, 4to (305 x 235mm).  This fine binding is by Sangorski and Sutcliffe and Zaehnsdorf of London.  The limitations page reads: Collectors' Edition. A special edition limited to 100 copies.  This volume is number 1 presented to Fernwood Press (Pty) Ltd signed by the authors, Dolf Schumann and Gerhard Kirsten.  ‘By far the largest of the genera in the South African flora is Erica: with 657 species to its credit.  This fact is all the more remarkable when one considers its distribution.  People from Europe need no introduction to their heaths which can splash the countryside with pink.  Apart from the true heather, Calluna, the genus Erica contributes only 21 species to the heath flora of Europe.  The bulk of the species of Erica are confined to the southern tip of Africa in a concentration that is not equaled by any other plant group in the world.  The array of colors and forms of ericas here in the southern Cape province is both remarkable and overwhelming.  In the pages of this volume is a photographic record of more than 450 species of one genus, a remarkable feat for a flower book.  This is the first time that so many species of Erica have been illustrated in a single work’ (modified from the foreword, p. 9).