Hunter's Heartbeat by Lionel A.H. Hartley (Signed Limited Edition No. 928), 1985 🦒🌍🦆

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a rare, signed, and limited edition of Hunter's Heartbeat, a chronicle by Lionel A.H. Hartley.

Published in 1985 by The Amwell Press, this book is a firsthand historical account of a professional hunting family's life in East Africa. As a signed and numbered limited edition, this volume is a premier acquisition for any serious collector of hunting literature, Americana, or signed books.

This book is a tangible connection to a bygone era of adventure and exploration. It is a prized possession for any serious library because of its:

• Documented rarity as a limited, numbered edition.

• Personal signatures of the author and publisher.

• Status as a meticulously crafted work of fine press publishing.

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2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

Hunter's Heartbeat is a powerful memoir that details the lives of two generations of a professional hunting family in East Africa. The book explores the history, traditions, and evolution of big game hunting, from the challenges and rewards of the hunt to the changing landscape of conservation. It is an exploration of a life deeply connected to the wilderness, filled with adventure, danger, and a respect for nature.

The book's exclusive photographs from the Hartley family’s private collection enhance the narrative, offering a unique visual journey into a world few have experienced. The book also reveals a complex perspective on conservation, presenting the view that hunting can be a form of conservation by:

• Helping to manage animal populations, filling a role that natural predators could no longer entirely fulfill due to landscape changes.

• Contributing financial support to wildlife management and anti-poaching efforts through hunting license fees.

• Fostering a sense of environmental stewardship in those who are intimately connected with the land and its animals.

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3. About the Author/Maker ✍️🏛️✨

Lionel A.H. Hartley was a professional hunter and author who dedicated his work to preserving the history and traditions of African big game hunting. His writing was known for its authenticity and his deep connection to the African wilderness.

The book was published by The Amwell Press for The National Sporting Fraternity Limited, which was founded to preserve sporting heritage.

The dual signatures from the author and Jim Rikhoff, the President of the National Sporting Fraternity Limited, reflect a shared commitment to the subject.

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4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1985, this book provides a snapshot of a period when the history and traditions of hunting and conservation were being reevaluated.

The book's inclusion in the "African Hunting Heritage Collection" and its focus on a family's personal history reflects a growing interest in preserving the legacy of outdoor sports. The book is a valuable document of an era that was grappling with the complex relationship between humans, wildlife, and the environment. It captures the essence of a time when conservation was becoming a major part of the conversation around hunting, and it provides insight into the ethical dimensions of the time.

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5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is for a curator of sporting history, a scholar of Americana, or a private collector of unique fine press editions. It is an ideal acquisition for an individual who values a book's historical significance and its documented personal history.

The dual signatures and the limited edition number make this a perfect fit for a collection that cherishes the intimate story behind an artifact. The book appeals to a collector who is interested in the intersection of:

• Nature, sport, and personal narrative.

• The art of bookmaking and the craftsmanship of a specialized publisher.

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6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

As a signed, limited edition, this book is a rare and desirable asset. The scarcity of a well-preserved copy in this condition is a key factor in its value.

The book is numbered 928 of a total of 1,000 copies and is signed by both the author, Lionel A.H. Hartley, and Jim Rikhoff, the President of the National Sporting Fraternity Limited.

This authenticated dual signature and the low print run make the book a non-replicable piece of personal history. The price reflects its status as a sound, collectible copy of a key work of Americana, and its value is expected to increase over time.

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7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This volume is a well-preserved piece showing honest wear consistent with its age from the late 20th century. The hardcover is in a solid state, with a tight binding and clean pages.

• Binding: The dark blue binding is in a leather-like texture with a gilt image of a kudu on the front cover. The spine features additional gilt decorations and the title and author name. The interior features blue marbled endpapers.

• Interior: The pages are clean and free of any marks or stains. The text block is solid, and the binding is tight.

• Signatures: The book is personally signed by both Lionel Hartley and Jim Rikhoff on the limitation page.

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8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• This book is the eighteenth volume in a series called the "African Hunting Heritage Collection," published by The Amwell Press.

• The narrative is based on the private records and photographs of the Hartley family, chronicling two generations of professional hunting in East Africa.

• The book explores the perspective that hunting, when conducted ethically, can be a form of conservation by helping to manage animal populations and providing financial support for wildlife efforts.

• It captures a way of life that was disappearing due to political and social change, and the end of the colonial era in East Africa.
  

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9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: Hunter's Heartbeat

• Author/Maker: Lionel A.H. Hartley

• Year: 1985

• Publisher/Foundry: The Amwell Press

• Place of Origin: Clinton, New Jersey, USA

• Format/Binding: Hardcover

• Edition: Signed Limited Edition No. 928

• Rarity: Unique (due to a double signature and a limited edition number)

• Transcription: One-thousand copies of HUNTER’S HEARTBEAT have been published by The Amwell Press for The National Sporting Fraternity Limited as the eighteenth book in its African Hunting Heritage Collection This copy is No. 928 As authorized by [Signature of Lionel Hartley] Lionel Hartley [Signature of Jim Rikhoff] Jim Rikhoff, President, N.S.F.L..