Extremely rare hand colored engraving from: Illustrations of Natural History

Author by DRURY DRU (1725-1803). Date: 1770-1782. Volume I.

9" x 11" 1/4 (23x28 cm).

Very bright, vibrant colors.

Extremely Rare First Edition. Numbered Engraved plate with beautiful hand coloring. Some age related toning, minor foxing, please zoom in on image to assess condition.

Illustrations of Natural History on exotic entomology

1770-1782

These beautiful hand colored illustrations - drawn and coloured by Moses Harris - from the first edition, are extremely rare. We only found some records from the subsequent second edition revised by J.O. Westwood and no one from the first edition.

One of the best known British entomologists of his day, he corresponded with many others including Pallas, Haworth, Linnaeus, Kirby and Fabricius, and the last three held him in high enough esteem to name insects after him. He also tried hard to persuade his correspondents to study insects and their life histories and to record their findings.

Drury was tireless in seeking to enlarge his collection, which contained over 11,000 well kept insects. They were sold by King and Lochee between 23-25 may 1805 in 305 lots with 38 lots of bookcases, books, equipment, etc.. The catalogue, prepared by Edward Donovan was titled 'Superb collection of insects, elegant cabinets... A Catalogue of the most capital assemblage of insects probably ever offered for public sale'.

Drury is reported to have named fifty-six species from specimens in his own collection, and at least another forty-four were named by Fabricius.

Drury is credited with naming Catocala epione in 1773. Fabricius also described the same species, possibly even from the same specimen, and called it marginata in 1775. Since Drury's name and description were published first, Drury's nomenclature takes precedence, and that is standard procedure regarding recognition of namer and acceptance of name.

These are beautifully executed stipple engravings in very fine detail. The plates where drawn and coloured by Moses Harris. The colours are bright and very intense.

Each print measure approximately 9 inches wide and 11 1/4 inches long (23x28 cm).

All my offerings are guaranteed authentic original antique prints. THESE PRINTS ARE EXTREMELY RARE.