A Third Lakeland Sketchbook

In the throes of the bustling 1970s, Wainwright found himself immersed in a whirlwind of activity. Following the publication of A Third Lakeland Sketchbook in December 1971, he moved on to the next instalment in the series. Amidst his continuous commitment to producing sketchbooks, Wainwright completed his tenth guide, Walks on the Howgill Fells. Simultaneously, he embarked on a project of considerable magnitude—the creation of a Coast to Coast Walk spanning the picturesque landscapes of Northern England.

Cumbria magazine December 1971

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A First Edition is identified by:

  1. Blue cloth case with gold blocking
  2. £1.05 price on the dust jacket
  3. Walks on the Howgill Fells and A Fourth Lakeland Sketchbook listed as – In preparation
In preparation helps identify a First Edition
A Third Lakeland Sketchbook
A blue clothbound case on its own does not necessarily identify a First Edition
A Third Lakeland Sketchbook
First Edition price
A Third Lakeland Sketchbook
A Signed First Edition


Numerous sketches within the series underwent a process of repurposing, finding a second life in subsequent publications. A notable instance is the inclusion of Dove Cottage, which reappears in the pages of Westmorland Heritage.

A Westmorland Heritage Plaque featuring Dove Cottage

In 2019, significant effort was dedicated to locating all the original Wainwright book printing materials stored at Titus Wilson in Kendal. Fortunately, this search yielded a treasure trove in the form of a box containing old gold blocking dies. Multiple blocks were associated with each sketchbook and the mountain drawing books. These artefacts had been transferred from the Gazette to Titus Wilson in the late 1980s.

The original gold blocking (image mirrored)
A Third Lakeland Sketchbook Dust Jacket Negative
Dust jacket negative
A Third Lakeland Sketchbook
An early 1980s print and Frances Lincoln’s 2004 publication

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