The Lepidoptera of Ceylon

Description:

First and only edition. A rare and exquisite set. Frederic Moore (1830-1907) was originally an artist associated with the East India Museum. The fine drawings in this work "representing about 350 species, of which about 250 are figured in their various stages of larva, pupa, and imago" were drawn and lithographed by the author after drawings by the Ceylonese artists Geo. & W. de Alwis and others. The collection of drawings was exhibited at a meeting of the Entomological Society of London in 1878, and "was considered to be such a valuable contribution to Eastern Entomology that the following resolution was proposed … It was hoped that an application to the Ceylon Government for their publication would be successful". Moore offered that if this publication were approved, he would offer his services free of charge to edit and prepare descriptions of the various species and incorporate new material, "thus forming as complete a history of the Lepidopterous fauna of Ceylon as was at present possible". The resulting work, published over seven years, remains an important reference for entomologists and a treasured object for collectors of rare natural history books. Nissen ZBI, 2877.

Condition

3 vols, 4to, orig. publisher's maroon cloth, gilt titling to spine. An extremely fine and clean set of this work which is seldom offered for sale.