​The first edition of A Field Guide to the Butterflies of Africa by John G. Williams, published in 1969 by Collins as part of the esteemed Collins Field Guide series, stands as a seminal work in African lepidopterology. This guide was among the earliest comprehensive resources dedicated to the identification and study of African butterflies.

This first edition is particularly valued for its meticulous detail and the quality of its illustrations, which were instrumental in aiding both amateur and professional lepidopterists in the field. The guide’s structured approach and comprehensive coverage made it a foundational reference in the study of African butterflies.​