British Entomology; being illustrations and descriptions of the genera of insects found in Great Britain and Ireland : containing figures from nature of the most rare and beautiful species, and in many instances of the plants upon which they are found

Description:

Rare. Systematically arranged set in 8 volumes: Vols I-II Coleoptera, Vol. III Dermaptera, Dictyoptera, Orthoptera, Strepsiptera, Hymenoptera Pt. I, Vol. IV Hymenoptera Pt. II, Neuroptera, Trichoptera, Vols V-VI Lepidoptera, Vol. VII Homoptera, Hemiptera, Aphaniptera, Vol. VIII Diptera, Omaloptera. Plates are numbered 1-769, 205*. The fine hand coloured engravings each include an insect along with a plant with which it is usually associated. After 5 years of publication, Curtis apparantly found his edition too small to supply the demand. He therefore began to reprint the previous parts, eventually covering parts 1-30 (parts 1-8 rewritten and enlarged, parts 9-30 reset and reprinted without alteration). Most sets of this work contain the reprints mixed in with the original (Sherborn & Durrant, 1911, EMM, 47: 84-85). In this copy there are 40 reprinted parts/plates, distinguished by a small ine under the plate number.

John Curtis (1791–1862) was a British entomologist, illustrator and engraver, writer, and ‘commissioned entomological agent for wealthy patrons’ (Clark, 204). The present work, ‘British Entomology’, considered by the great French naturalist Georges Cuvier (1769–1832) a ‘paragon of perfection’, is one of the most beautifully illustrated works on British insects, acknowledged as being a masterpiece of the engravers' and colourists' art.

Curtis’ first published work was on the plates for Kirby's joint work with Spence, ‘An Introduction to Entomology’ (1815–26). Curtis subsequently assisted Kirby in bringing out descriptions of Australian insects, which were published in the ‘Transactions’ of the Linnean Society, and in other work. In London, Curtis met the naturalist Sir Joseph Banks (1743–1820) and James Charles Dale (1791–1872), who became his lifelong friend and patron. (ODNB)

Nissen ZBI, 1000, Horn-Schenkling, 4184.

Condition

8 vols, 8vo, cont. half-calf, rubbed/scuffed, leather spine labels expertly and sympathetically replaced in matching style, marbled endpapers and edges. Occasional minor foxing, mostly to endpapers/flyleaves. Hand-coloured plates vibrant and vivid, only a few with light toning or spotting. A very handsome set. From the library of Paul Sokoloff, with his book-plate to endpapers.