An Exposition of English Insects, With curious observations and remarks, wherein each insect is particularly described; its parts and properties considered; the different sexes distinguished, and the Natural History faithfully related. The whole illustrated... by the author.
London: Printed for the Author. And Sold by Messrs. Robson and Co... and Messrs. Dilly, 1776 [but c.1786]. Mixed edition, 4to, (iv), 166, (4 index) pp. "Scheme of Colours" plate and 50 plates of insects, all attractively hand coloured, plus the uncoloured key plate. Text leaves and tissue guards browned and foxed, the plates generally less so, contemporary owner's signature to the top of the title page and twice at the end. Recent period half calf, marbled sides, red morocco spine label. "...one of the leading entomologists of his century", Harris "was, it is believed, the first to draw attention of the importance of wing neuration in the classification of lepidoptera..." With a separate title page in French and with both languages side by side throughout. Lisney pp. 170-175, mentioning made-up copies "which occur much more frequently than ideal copies...", of which this is most likely an example. The verso of leaf L2 is in the first state with the correction of the catchword on a pasted-on slip and both title pages have the first issue imprint, dated 1776. A number of the plates conform to the first edition but several others to the second. It lacks both the portrait and frontispiece, however the former wasn't made available until after many subscribers had received their copies, and the latter was omitted in the final issue. Item #29051
Price: £950.00