We started with this duck, the Mallard, because whilst it is only amongst the oldest species known, it is the ancestor of most other domestic breeds, only the Muscovy having no trace at all of the Mallard. They were also the first breed to be domesticated, in China, about four thousand years ago. And they are one of the most familiar of all breeds, with their bright green necks.
Mallards usually live for five to ten years, but there was one who lived to be twenty-seven. It is therefore likely that they could live longer if circumstances allow, a lack of predators, good food, a safe place to spend the night.
This is a fairly recent set, issued long after our original World Tobacco Issues Index, so only recorded in our updated version, as :
- GRANDEE BRITISH BIRDS COLLECTION. Md. 89 x 52. Nd. (32). Album/wall chart issued. An edition exists numbered on the front and with a slightly different back format, it may be a proof ... P644-416
So is there anyone reading who can supply more details of that other version? Maybe even a scan....
We know that the album/wallchart cost 40p, to be sent as a crossed postal order - and that it is a "front cover" that folds out not into pages but into four sections of the same size.
The artwork was by Philip Woodhouse, but I cannot track him down either, yet!