BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS RECORDS OF WILD SPORT AND NATURAL HISTORY ON MOORLAND AND SEA [Provenance Previously Owned By Frederick Spencer Chapman]

London: Gurney and Jackson, 1889. Book. Illus. by Chapman, Abel. Very Good. Hardcover. First Edition. 8vo. Pp. [xii], 286 + 2 pages adverts; numerous fine pen and ink drawings, and in-text illustrations throughout by Abel Chapman. Original blue cloth, titled in gilt on spine. Binding very good and bright, , light wear only to the top and bottom of the spine and corners. Content clean and tight, original brown endpapers, wear along the hinge, unmarked but for the pencil signature of F. S. Chapman, no relative but the explorer and author, also signed in pencil to the half title to the reverse of the front free endpaper, no foxing, no inscriptions. A very good copy. [ BIOG. Frederick Spencer Chapman, DSO & Bar, ED 1907 - 1971) was a British Army officer and World War II veteran, most famous for his exploits behind enemy lines in Japanese occupied Malaya. His medals include the following: the Distinguished Service Order and Bar, the Polar Medal, Gill Memorial Medal, Mungo Park Medal, and the Lawrence of Arabia Memorial Medal. He joined many expeditions. Chapman was attached as "ski expert and naturalist" to Gino Watkins' 1930 -31 British Arctic Air Route Expedition. Expedition members included John Rymill and Augustine Courtauld. He also joined Watkins' subsequent fatal Greenland Expedition of 1932-33, which was led by Rymill after Watkins' death. Chapman experienced cold of such intensity that he lost all his finger and toe nails....