The Forests and Wetlands of New York City (1971); and Green Metropolis (2016)

NY: Little, Brown, 1971. First edition. Hardcover. Two inscribed books by Elizabeth Barlow Rogers, headlined by her first book, The Forests and Wetlands of New York City. Uncommon signed, but here inscribed on the half-title page in blue ink: "For Robert Glynn, with warm regards, Betsy Barlow."  An early book focused on urban nature, it won the John Burroughs Medal for natural history writing in 1973. With a foreword by Rene Dubos, who writes in part: "The Forests and Wetlands of New York City is much more than an enjoyable and illuminating guide to the history and present state of nature in the city. It demonstrates that while man is all too often a destroyer of wilderness, he can also shape and restore the natural world--and perhaps even improve on it by giving existential expression to the genius of the place." Quarto with black and white photos, illustrations, and maps throughout. A near fine book with a touch of dust soiling to the top face of the text block and light sunning to board edges; in a very good jacket with wear and some creasing to top edges; a bit of loss to top of spine and one short tear mid-spine; and rubbing to rear panel. Near fine / Very good.

Also included is an inscribed copy of Green Metropolis: The Extraordinary Landscapes of New York City as Nature, History, and Design. NY: Knopf, 2016. First edition. Hardcover. Uncommon signed, but inscribed here on the title page in the year of publication in green ink: "For Mina, with good green wishes, Betsy, November 4, 2016." The recipient is the late Brooklyn book designer Mina Greenstein. Bookending Roger's life's work as a chronicler and defender of greater New York City, here she circles back to consider seven "remarkable green spaces" including State Island, Jamaica Bay, Inwood Hill, the Central Park Ramble, Roosevelt Island, Freshkills (the landfill park on Staten Island) and the High Line (the Manhattan promenade on abandoned subway lines), now from both an ecological and a design perspective. One might describe it as the sequel to her first book, almost 50 years later. It's a design-forward hardcover with heavy stock and color photos included throughout. About fine with a touch of rubbing to spine tail and head; in a very near fine jacket with just a touch of faint soiling to rear panel. Fine / Near fine.

After her first book, Rogers became a prominent landscape architect well-recognized for her help in the revitalization of Central Park via the founding of the Central Park Conservancy. Among other honors, she is the recipient of the Jane Jacobs Medal from the Rockefeller Foundation and the Rachel Carson Award for women environmentalists from the National Audubon Society. A nice pairing, each book uncommon signed, that shows the arch of her distinguished career.