Illustrations of Natural History: Wherein Are Exhibited Upwards of Two
Item #61304
DRURY, Dru. Illustrations of Natural History: Wherein Are Exhibited Upwards of Two Hundred and Forty Figures of Exotic Insects, According to Their Different Genera; Very Few of Which Have Hitherto Been Figured by any Author, Being Engraved and Coloured from Nature, with the Greatest Accuracy, and under the Author's Own Inspection, with Fifty Copper-plates, with a Particular Description of Each Insect: Interspersed with Remarks and Reflections on the Nature and Properties of Many of Them. London: Printed for the Author and Sold by B. White, 1770-1782. 1st ed. 4tos. 3 Vols. 151 plates (150 hand-colored); errata slip in Vol. One; indices in Vols. Two and Three (Index to Vol. One present in manuscript by early owner). Rebound in period-style 3/4 blue morocco and marbled boards, raised spine bands, gilt ornamentation. Unobtrusive library blindstamps on title pages and once elsewhere on a text page in each volume, some faints scattered foxing, marginal annotations by early owners, else a very good or better set. The hand-colored engraved illustrations were beautifully done by Moses Harris, himself one of the outstanding authors of 18th century entomological literature. Unlike most of the eminent natural historians of his time, Dru Drury (1725-1804) was not trained as a physician. After working as a silversmith for 40 years, Drury retired in 1789 to devote his time to insects, collecting over 11,000 specimens. "[H]e had been an eager student of entomology, inserting advertisements in foreign papers which solicited specimens either by exchange or purchase. His cabinets soon became famous. Donovan speaks of 'his noble and very magnificent collections.' ... Entomology was much advanced by Drury's writings, but even more by the excellent figures which accompanied them, the work of Moses Harris.... Drury's collection was remarkably fine, many of the specimens being unique. It had taken thirty years in its formation" (DNB).
Price: $9,500.00