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AUDUBON EXPERT AT LIVERPOOL EXHIBITION
A LEADING expert on "the world's greatest natural history book''
is to shed light on one of the few copies on public display and the part Liverpool played in getting it published.
Only 120 copies of John James Audubon's 'Birds of America' printed after he received patronage from Liverpool family the Rathbones, are in existence worldwide.
The edition held by Liverpool Central Library forms the centrepiece of a new four month exhibition about Audubon in the Picton Reading Room. It is one of the few public places in the world where people can view a copy of the culturally significant book.
Author Duff Hart-Davis used the artist's links with Liverpool as the basis for his acclaimed book 'Audubon's Elephant'. He will be speaking at a formal launch of the exhibition next
Wednesday 5 January 2005, which will also be attended by Chair of the North West cultural consortium Loyd Grossman.
Councillor Warren Bradley, Executive Member for Leisure, said:-
"Duff Hart-Davis is one of the leading authority's on Audubon, and I am delighted he has accepted our invitation to speak at the exhibition. John James Audubon spent many happy times in Liverpool and it will be interesting to learn more from Duff about his links with the city and the important role it played in getting the book published."
The exhibition is part of the library's commitment to putting on show the cultural gems which are held at Central Library.
Sir Bob Scott, Executive Chairman of the Liverpool Culture Company, said:-
"The Audubon book is one of the jewels in the crown of Liverpool's magnificent collection, and is a fine example of the city's exceptional cultural heritage."
As part of the £31.5 million remodeling of the Central Library which recently secured funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), there will be a room dedicated to the Birds of America to enable them to be displayed permanently.
The first in a series of book bindings which have been specially commissioned to mark the European Capital of Culture themed years will also be formally presented to the city.
It is the first time since the 1970's that the city has commissioned such bindings, and they will be added to the extensive collection already held by the libraries service, which date back to the 16th century.
It includes a Philip's Encyclopaedia bound in red goatskin by Lester Capon - president of the Society of Designer Bookbinders; to mark the Year of Learning, and to mark the Year of Faith in One City, a book of photographs of churches of Liverpool has been specially bound by prizewinning binder Andrew Brown.
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ADVICE TO PREGNANT WOMEN DURING THE LAMBING SEASON PREGNANT women should avoid close contact with sheep during lambing periods, according to the Department of Health, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Health and Safety Executive.
"Pregnant women who come into close contact with sheep during lambing may risk their own health and that of their unborn child, from infections that can occur in some ewes. These include chlamydiosis (enzootic abortion of ewes - EAE), toxoplasmosis and listeriosis, which are common causes of abortion in ewes.
Although the number of reports of these infections and human miscarriages resulting from contact with sheep is extremely small, it is important that pregnant women are aware of the potential risks associated with close contact with sheep during lambing."
said Department of Health.
To avoid the possible risk of infection, pregnant women are advised that they should:-
Do not help to lamb or milk ewes;
Avoid contact with aborted or new-born lambs or with the afterbirth;
Avoid handling clothing, boots etc which have come into contact with ewes or lambs.
Pregnant women should seek medical advice if they experience fever or influenza-like symptoms, or if concerned that they could have acquired infection from a farm environment.
"Farmers have a responsibility to minimise the risks to pregnant women, including members of their family, the public and professional staff visiting farms. Any action should be determined by their risk assessment required under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 and also the Management of Health and Safety of Work Regulations 1999."
added the Health and Safety Executive. "If a ewe aborts, farmers are advised to ask their veterinary surgeon to take a sample to their local Regional laboratory of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency to determine the cause. In the interests of hygiene, farmers should dispose of all afterbirths promptly and safely in accordance with relevant legislation. The EU Animal By-Products Regulations 2002 requires animal by-products, including afterbirth material, to be disposed of via an approved route such as rendering, incineration, knackers yards etc." advised the Department of Health.
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