The Insects of Great Britain / Les Insectes de la Grande Bretagne Vol. I [Incomplete]
- Publisher : For J. Johnson
- Published In : London
- Illustrations : 35 (of 46) engraved hand coloured plates
Description:
Parallel text English/French. First issue. Incomplete copy.
Intended to be the first volume of a comprehensive work on British Insects, however Lewin (1747-1795) died after only this first volume on butterflies had appeared. The second issue, of the same year, had a new title page 'The Papilios of Great Britain' and the type in the text of the last gathering was reset with the words 'The End' in place of 'End of the First Volume', otherwise the issues are identical.
Lewin's illustrations are noted for their accuracy compared to entomological works from earlier in the century.
Lisney, 410; Nissen ZBI, 2488.
Condition
4to, cont. qtr cloth, marbled boards, spine torn with some loss. Incomplete copy: pp. 1-52 (of 100), 35 (of 46) plates (lacks no's 13, 37-46). One plate torn/repaired, affecting one image, several other plates with marginal tears. Some spotting, staining.