The Aurelian; A Natural History of English Moths and Butterflies. Plate IX: The Black Veined White and Brindled Beauty

Description:

A delightful hand-coloured copper engraving from the rare first edition of The Aurelian, 1766. The plate depicts the Brindled Beauty moth and the Black Veined White butterfly, showing the various developmental stages. The Black Veined White, Aporia crataegi, is interesting as the butterfly is now extinct in the British Isles.

Original accompanying text leaf loosely enclosed at rear of mount.

Foot of image, engraved 'Moses Harris ad Vivum', indicating that the drawing was made from living specimens.

Lower margin of each plate includes a dedication to a subscriber or patron, accompanied with the appropriate coat of arms. This dedication reads, 'To the Right Hon. Lord Viscount Charlemont, this Plate is Humbly Inscribed by his Lordships most Obliged & Obedient Serv’t Moses Harris'.

Moses Harris (1730-c.1788) was an English entomologist, painter, engraver and book illustrator, one of the most celebrated masters of insect portraiture. His most famous work, The Aurelian is considered one of the finest illustrated books of the eighteenth century; it is greatly admired for its artistic and accurate depictions of butterflies and moths, presented in the various stages of their life cycles.

Condition

Hinged onto card window mount. Image 298x230mm, mount 455x355mm. A few inoffensive light pencil marks to plate, otherwise very good.