HOBSON, Bulmer. Ed. by. Saorstát Eireann. Irish Free State Official Handbook. With numerous illustrations and large folding map in pocket at end. Edited by Bulmer Hobson.

Dublin: Talbot, 1932. Royal octavo. pp. 324, 150 (Adverts). Illustrated chapter headings and decorated capitals. Quarter black linen on ornate Celtic designs on rear and front boards by Art O’Murnaghan. A near fine copy.
The Official Handbook of the Irish Free State. Printed in Dublin by Hely’s Ltd. Paper by the
Swiftbrook Paper Mills and plates by the Irish Photo Engraving Co. This is a very handsome book,
with brightly illustrated papered boards in a beautiful Celtic design. Profusely illustrated by many
prominent Irish artists; over thirty chapters on all aspects of the history, culture, government, geology,
art, literature, etc of the country.
With chapters on: The Country and its People; The Fauna and Flora; Geology, Structural and
Economic; History; Religion; Constitution; Judiciary; Ownership of Land; Fisheries; Agriculture;
Archaeology; Libraries; Early Christian Art; Modern Irish Art; Irish Language; Folklore, etc. etc. The
contributors include, Eoin MacNeill, R.L. Praeger, George O’Brien, A. Mahr, J.H. Delargy, C.P.
Curran, etc. Superbly illustrated with 45 sepia plates after paintings, drawings a etchings by various
artists Paul Henry, John Keating, Sean O’Sullivan, Estella F. Solomons, Maurice MacGonigal, Mary
Duncan, Hilda Roberts and Harry Kernoff.