Insecta Lepidoptera Europae secundum Classificationem Doctoris J.A. Boisduval (Moth Specimens)
[No Place]: [No Publisher], c. 1850.
Privately printed. 265 leaves of tissue guarded mounted specimens chiefly two to a page and or hand painted illustration on cards. Bound in period quarter calf over marbled boards with spine lettered in gilt. 12 x 9.5 x 4", thick 4to. Very Good+ with nicely rebacked spine with some leaves reaffixed to binding. Some worming and light tearing to tissue guards; a few plates lacking. Contents slightly tanned at edges. A beautifully-executed collection of moth specimens that includes hundreds of illustrations throughout their life stages. Cherau pasted moth wings to each leaf and painted the bodies meticulously by hand. Mounted alongside specimens are several full-page portraits depicting natural surroundings and mystical fairies. Captioned by hand and occasionally classified by gender according to the system of the celebrated French lepidopterist Jean Baptiste Boisduval (1799-1879).
Price: $9,500