Man and Beast

First edition, first impression.  222, [2]pp, with  monochrome portrait plate frontispiece and line drawing in text.  Blue cloth-covered boards with gilt lettering to spine.  12mo.  Cloth a little tired, lightly faded around margins, gently rounded on corners and spine ends.  Upper text block edge has traces of dustiness.  Previous owner’s name inked on a lightly toned front free endpaper else internally neat, clean, bright and tight.  In its original matte dust jacket, not price clipped, toned and rubbed and bumped at edges, with a couple of small, closed nicks and some scattered spot markings on rear panel.  Dust wrapper now protected in an archival-quality Mylar sleeve, fitted without the use of tape or adhesives.

The author Major C W Hume was a pioneer in animal protection and the founder of the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (renamed Science for Animal Welfare in 2026) in 1926.  Here Hume sets out his philosophy of aspects of animal welfare, including the importance of using science to advance animal welfare.  Hume uses the text to examine the moral and legal status of animals and to challenge traditional Christian theology regarding animal care.  It pioneers a moral framework that has influenced subsequent laboratory animal standards and humane treatment methodologies.  Chapters cover topics such as vivisection, anthropomorphism, laboratory animals, bull-fighting, animal rights and the principles of animal protection. An important text in the development of animal welfare, research and science.  Hard to find.