Donovan, E.
An Epitome of the Natural History of the Insects of India and the Islands in the Indian Seas: Comprising upwards of two hundred and fifty figures and descriptions of the most singular and beautiful species, selected chiefly from those recently discovered, and which have not appeared in the works of any preceding author, the figures are accurately drawn, engraved, and coloured, from specimens of the insects; the descriptions are arranged according to the system of Linnaeus; with references to the writings of Fabricius, and other systematic authors.
London, printed for the author by T. Bensley, 1800 [-1804]. 4to (28.8 x 23.7 cm). Title page, 2, [ii], pp.; 58 finely engraved and originally hand-coloured plates, with explanatory text leaves. Contemporary full calf with gilt fillet decorations and gilt title on the spine. All edges gilt.
Very rare first edition of a magnificently illustrated work on the most spectacular insects of India. With magnificent, originally hand-coloured engraved plates of butterflies, moths, beetles, Hemiptera (true bugs), Diptera (flies) and other insects, mostly with their fodder-plants. The Ango-Irish zoologist (chiefly entomologist and malacologist) Edward Donovan (1768-1837) published more works on zoology and especially entomology, but this may be regarded as one of his very best. The lively and accurate engravings are vibrantly coloured. Donovan displayed his extensive collections in a private museum, the London Museum and Institute of Natural History, but due to lack of funds, he had to auction them off in 1818. In 1842, John Westwood produced a second edition, which is less good. Binding somewhat rubbed, edges scuffed, upper spine with joint tears). Some slight toning, as usual; faint dust or finger marks in the margins, a few plates slightly foxed in the image area. Horn-Schenkling 4952; Nissen ZBI, 1144; Dance, p. 85. [More images to follow soon]
