Archiv der Insectengeschichte

Description:

Very rare original German edition, published in eight parts. Beautifully hand-coloured plates engraved by J.R. Schellenberg, mostly illustrating Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Orthoptera. Plates are numbered (some in manuscript): 1-18, 19a, 19b, 20-27, 28a, 28b, 28 Suppl., 29-36, 43-54; plates 37-42 were never published. This original edition is much scarcer than the French translation of 1794, which contained only 50 plates.

The work served as a reference for subsequent naturalists and entomologists, influencing the direction of entomological studies in Europe. Johann Kaspar Fuessly [Füssli] (1743-1786), was a Swiss entomologist and publisher, based in Zürich. Johann Rudolph Schellenberg (1740-1806) was a Swiss artist best known for his fine illustrations of insects. His artistic expertise elevated the scientific value of this work, bridging art and science in a manner characteristic of Enlightenment-era natural history.

Nissen ZBI 1455.

Condition

4to (246x190mm), cont. full calf, rebacked, raised bands, with orig. slightly worn leather sections laid down to compartments, gilt-tooled motifs (dulled), orig. leather title piece. Some light foxing at beginning and end. Very good. A well-preserved copy of this elusive book, with wide margins. Book plate of William Bree (1822-1917), rector of Allesley and archdeacon of Coventry.