Five hunting classics, of wing, hoof and claw

Corbett, Jim, The Corbett Collection (Safari Press, 6 volumes slip cased, 1991). ISBN 0-940143-54-2. Legendary British/Indian hunter /conservationist James Edward Corbett (1875-1955) devoted much of his life to hunting down and killing man-eating tigers and leopards. Between 1935 and 1954 he wrote six books on his experiences: My India; Jungle Lore; Man-Eaters of Kumaon; Temple Tiger/Tree Tops; and Leopards of Rudraprayag. A vocal advocate for the rural communities of India and an ardent conservation, he retired to Kenya after Indian independence and was a guide to Princess- then Queen- Elizabeth II during her 1952 visit. India named a national tiger preserve for Corbett in 1957. Attractive five volume set, hardcover, very good condition. A prize for the big game enthusiast and pre-independence India fans. HBB price: $150.

Housholder, Bob, editor, Grand Slam of North American Wild Sheep (Imperial Lithographers/Roswell Bookbinding, 2nd printing, May 1974). A collection of tales by ten members of the Grand Slam Club of the North American Sheep Hunters Association, describing what it was like to be among the fifty or so hunters to bag all four North American rams. Hardcover with gold lettering/ram’s head on cover and spine, no dust jacket, very good condition, affectionately inscribed by contributor Dr. Roy A. Schultz,DVM to Russ Reid, “one of the best sheep outfitters and sheep guides on the North American Continent!!!” in September, 1977. HBB price: $100.

Kirkland, K.D. America’s Premier Gunmakers: Remington, Colt, Browning, Winchester (JG Press, 1st. ed., 4 volumes, slip cased, 2012). ISBN 13: 978-1-57215-257-1. Arms historian K.D. Kirkland’s histories of the great American gun makers is a classic. Each volume is profusely illustrated in color, with the kind of detail that is the mark of true scholarship. Hardcover, unclipped dust jackets, as new. The set comes in a handsome slipcase. HBB price: $150.

Proper, Datus C., Pheasants of the Mind:  A Hunter’s Search for A Mythic Bird (Prentice hall Press, 1st ed., 1st printing, 1990). ISBN 0-13-662750-1. A Montana naturalist philosopher (“It is impossible to read this without being reminded of Garrison Keillor at his best,” famed food writer M.F.K. Fisher wrote), contemplates nature and the challenges of hunting for pheasant. Hardcover, unclipped dust jacket, very good condition, autographed. HBB price: $75.

Schwing, Ned, The Browning Superposed: John M. Browning’s Last Legacy (Krause Pubs., 1st ed., 1996) ISBN 0-87341-350-4. The first full account of the Browning Company’s history from 1926 to 1995, and of the design, development and production of “the last of the high-quality, hand-built, and hand-engraved over and under shotguns.” 496 pp, over 600 illustrations, 100 in color. 11.25” x 8.75”. Hardcover, unclipped dust jacket, fine condition. Rare and highly collectible. HBB price: $350.