The Butterflies of Great Britain with their Transformations, Delineated and Described

Description:

Early reissue (first published 1855). Scarce. Attractive hand-coloured lithographic plates by the author, showing all the British butterflies, including life stages and foodplants for most of them. The printing and quality of colouring is much finer than in later issues of this work. This work is an abridged version of the authors 'British Butterflies and their Transformations' (1841), reissued '...at a price which would place it within the reach of every student,...', reduced in size, but '...without, however, omitting any important or necessary information.' (Preface).

Freeman, 3950

Condition

8vo, orig. red cloth, bevelled boards with blind-stamped decorative border, central gilt design to front board, gilt title and ornate decoration to spine, aeg. Some wear to head/foot of spine and corners; small ink stain to top of spine. One gathering slightly sprung; some foxing to plates, mostly light, but heavier to Plate I (frontis). Early ownership inscription to endpaper. Very good.