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Illustrations of Exotic Entomology, containing upwards of six hundred and fifty figures and descriptions of foreign insects, interspersed with remarks and reflections on their nature and properties. A new edition, brought down to the present state of the science, with the systematic characters of each species, synonyms, indexes, and other additional matter.
London: Henry G. Bohn, 4, York Street, Covent Garden, 1837. 3 vols., 4to, half burgundy morocco, recased, preserving original spines, raised bands, gilt lettering, green cloth covers. Vol. 1: 123 pp., 1 un-colored engraving, 50 hand-colored engravings; Vol. 2: [100] pp., 50 hand-colored engravings; Vol. 3: 93 pp., [1] p. errata, 50 hand-colored engravings. CONDITION: Very good, evidence of labels removed from lower spines, light wear and rubbing to covers, a couple small punctures to cloth and boards at upper cover of Vol. 3; contents very good, bookplate removed at front pastedowns, moderate foxing to ffep and first 3 to 5 leaves of all volumes, occasional offsetting and slight foxing throughout, plates generally clean and attractive. Second, revised edition of this stunningly-illustrated, hand-colored entomological work first published between 1770 and 1782 by wealthy London gold- and silversmith Dru Drury (1725–1803). Drury’s entomological collection rose to fame during his life, and both Linnaeus (1707–1778) and William Kirby (1759–1850) named species after him. Most of the plates were drawn and engraved by entomologist Moses Harris (1730–1787). “Although originally conceived as a publication to illustrate all the specimens that came in, Drury soon changed his mind and eventually decided to illustrate only those specimens which had not previously been drawn. Years later, the eminent British entomologist W.F. Kirby described the work as an ‘Opus entomologicus splendissimus’” (Gilbert, p. 140). The edition offered here was revised by John Obadiah Westwood following Drury’s death. REFERENCES: Nissen 1160; Horn & Schenkling 23891; Gilbert, Pamela. Butterfly collectors and painters : four centuries of colour plates from the Library Collections of the Natural History Museum, London (Singapore: Beaumont, 2000).
Item #2348
Price: $6,750.00
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