Curtis, John — British Entomology. Vol. I-VI

Printed for the Author … and sold by Sherwood, Gilbert, and Piper … London , 290 hand-coloured engraved plates. . HB. 6 vols, 8vo, finely bound in cont. half leather, raised bands, gilt tooling to spines, marbled boards, all edges gilt. Limited rubbing to head/foot of spine and joints of several volumes; some wear to marbled paper on edges. Original bookplates have been removed from pastedowns, leaving a faint trace. Recent owner's bookplate to Vol. I. Occasional spotting/offsetting, but plates bright and clean. Very fine condition.. First six volumes only, with plates 1-289, 205* (the complete work consists of 16 volumes and 770 plates). The fine hand coloured engravings each include an insect along with a plant with which it is usually associated. All plates/parts are first issues.John Curtis (1791-1862) was a British entomologist, illustrator and engraver, and writer. 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.Nissen ZBI, 1000, Horn-Schenkling, 4184..