Vintage Observer's Books Aircraft, Birds and Motorcycles Set in Peach, Blue and Burgundy

Four vintage Observer's Pocket Books from Frederick Warne, chosen as much for their colour as their contents: Basic Aircraft Military in soft peach, Aircraft in powder blue, Birds in warm tan and Motorcycles in deep burgundy. Lined up on a shelf they make a neat little run of colour, and each still carries its series number at the foot of the spine (39, 11, 1 and 61).

The Observer's series began in 1937 with Birds, number 1, and grew to around a hundred subjects before Warne published the final title in 1982. Generations of children carried them in coat pockets on walks and train journeys, ticking off whatever they spotted, and that small, sturdy format is a big part of why they are so collectable today. Our copy of Basic Aircraft Military by William Green, with silhouettes by Dennis Punnett, dates from 1967 and was issued alongside a civil companion volume. Aircraft was updated almost every year, a snapshot of whatever was flying at the time. Motorcycles arrived in the mid 1970s, by which point the series had moved well beyond nature into hobbies and machines.

Each book measures roughly 14.5 x 9.5cm (5.75 x 3.75 inches), so the set sits comfortably on a narrow shelf, a windowsill or on top of a stack of larger books. We like them in a bedroom or study beside a green glass bottle and a shell or two, or tied with twine as a gift for someone who grew up with them. They also make an easy starting point for a new collector.

All four are hardbacks in their original boards without dust jackets. They show wear in keeping with their age, with some rubbing to the edges and light fading to the spines, and the pages remain readable throughout. Please look closely at the photos, which form part of the description.

A small, cheerful set for a shelf that needs more colour, and a lovely gift for anyone who remembers spotting aircraft, birds or bikes with one of these in their pocket.