A systematic catalogue of British insects: being an attempt to arrange all the hitherto discovered indigenous insects in accordance with their natural affinities ; containing also the references to every English writer on entomology, and to the principal
STEPHENS, JAMES FRANCIS.
London: published for the author by Baldwin and Cradock, 1829 8vo (22.5 x 14.5 cm). Later nineteenth-century half morocco on green cloth. 2 volumes. Collation: xxxiv, [2] 416p. [26-blanks]; [2] 388 p. [30 & blanks]. Spines on both volumes are good condition and with minor wear to ends of spines, hinges, and corners. Minor spotting on front cover of volume 1. There are new end papers, which, along with edges of text block, have minor spotting. This is a large paper uncut copy with interleaves, many of which are annotated with ink text by previous owner. The text often provides author reference and date of later identification of the specimen checked in opposite text. Most of the text listings have reference to earlier works, viz. Linnaeus, Curtis, Faber, Panzer, Kirby, Marsh and others. The text is complemented with 69 pen and ink and 50 watercolor drawings of insects in the margins of the text pages, which have been drawn with meticulous care to anatomic detail and coloration when used. Very Good + Half Morocco (Item ID: 0000202)
$2,500.00
This is a unique copy of a major work in taxonomic listing of known British insects in the early 19th century. Stephans had worked part time at the British Library sorting out the insect collection. It is likely that this first exposure to entomology was impetus for him to prepare this systematic list of all the insects in the British Library collection. This is truly a monumental work, which has been greatly enhanced by the drawings and marginalia of a previous owner. (Agassiz, IV, p.378).