Lot 270
Donovan, Edward SALEROOM NOTICE: This is a combination of 1st and 2nd edition volumes
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photography
Auction: 31 August 2016 at 12:00 BST
Description
The Natural History Of British Insects; Explaining Them In Their Several States, With The Periods Of Their Transformation, Their Food, Oeconomy, &c. Together With The History Of Such Minute Insects As Require Investigation By The Microscope. London: For the Author, and for F. and C. Rivington 1792-1813. Combination of First and Second Edition, 16 volumes bound in 8, 8vo., (235 x 145mm.) 576 plates (568 hand coloured), contemporary diced calf gilt, spines with raised bands, morocco labels lettered in gilt, double gilt rules and blind decorative borders to both upper and lower boards, marbled endpapers, all silk markers present as are all tissue guards, a very attractive set
Footnote
Note: Edward Donovan (1768-1837), naturalist and author, Fellow of the Linnean Society… at Dru Drury's death many of the insects which he had collected fell into Donovan's hands… he formed a collection of natural history specimens at the cost of many thousands of pounds, and under the title of The London Museum of Natural History admitted the public freely in 1807 and for many years after (D.N.B).