Charles Sydney “Punch” Barlow (South African businessman/conservationist)

 

This is the red leather ex-libris book-plate of Charles Sydney “Punch” Barlow (10 May 1905 – 1 June 1979) pasted into a 1928 private press publication of The Golden Cockerel Press entitled  "A tale of Rosamund Gray and old blind Margaret" by Charles Lamb.

Barlow was a South African businessman, conservationist and philanthropist who built up Barlow Rand into one of South Africa's biggest companies.

Noted as a critic and opponent of the National Party and its apartheid policies, Barlow was also an environmentalist and a sponsor of conservation initiatives. Three species of bird are named after him, in recognition of his backing for expeditions of discovery: they include Barlow's lark.

The gold-embossed bird on a red background, with elongated tail feathers and botanical elements, strongly reflects Barlow’s lifelong involvement in ornithology and conservation.

I found at least one documented instance where the same red leather bookplate with gold bird and “C. S. Barlow”inscription appears:

A Kelmscott Press Kelmscott Morris volume (“Syr Perecyvelle of Gales”, 1895) sold via AntiquarianAuctions.com included  a red leather bookplate of C.S. (Punch) Barlow on the front free endpaper.