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 (Ads). Quarter black linen. Ornate Celtic designs on front and rear covers by Art O’ Murnaghan, title in gilt on spine. Very good 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 by Art O’ Murnaghan. 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 from paintings by Paul Henry, John Keating, Sean O’Sullivan, Maurice MacGonigal, Harry Kernoff, etc. It is a still a very useful reference work.