British and European Butterflies and Moths (Macrolepidoptera)

Description:

A late Victorian popular work on the Lepidoptera of Britain and Europe, notable for its exceptional chromolithographic illustrations after drawings by H. Deuchert and S. Slocombe and attractive production quality. The collaboration between the entomologists W. E. Kirby and A. W. Kappel sought to produce, “a work with good illustrations and of reasonable price.”

The plates, text, and binding were all executed by Ernst Nister, the renowned Nuremberg publisher known for his fine colour printing. Each species is described with brief notes on range, habits, and distinguishing features. A charming and decorative example of late 19th-century natural history publishing, combining scientific information with the excellence of continental chromolithography.

Condition

4to, full prize calf (gt crest of Malvern college to front board), rebacked retaining orig. backstrip, spine with raised bands and gt tooling to compartments, leather title piece, dec. gt border to both boards, marbled endpapers and edges. A few minor blemishes to boards. Light foxing to endpapers/fly leaves. Plates clean. Malvern College presentation label, Gale Enomology Prize, July 1900.