The grand finale to our lectures at the zoo was a visit to their old library.
Thousands of leather-bound books each containing a wealth of information about the Flora and Fauna of our world.
One particular book was unique, only one copy ever made by a dedicated enthusiast, filled to the brim with delicately hand-painted examples of shells, the detail of which was truly awe inspiring. It is breathtaking to be able to leaf through such a thing and touch the paper with your own bare hands.
Other books had used paints which greasiness showed through on the back of each page. Lovely detail which few people ever get to see. Luckily for you we were allowed to take photographs as long as the flash was off…