First edition of this important and beautifully illustrated entomological work.

Little is known of the early life of Edward Donovan (1768–1837). His interest in natural history started with the collecting of shells and preservation of insects, probably before 1788. He was a prolific author and skilled artist who etched and engraved the plates for all his works. He became a fellow of the Linnaean Society.

Donovan's main interest was entomology and his published works included sixteen volumes of British Insects (1792–1813) and the three 'magnificently illustrated' (Dunbar) volumes on The Insects of China, India and New Holland, the last being dedicated to Sir Joseph Banks, and acknowledging use of his collections and library. Donovan's approach was to show species that had not been illustrated before, and many previously undescribed. The illustrations of tropical butterflies, moths, and other insects set against backgrounds of plants and flowers represent a significant advance in compositional style which seem likely to have influenced others in the ensuing Victorian era, in particular H. Noel Humphreys.

First edition; 4to (29 x 22 cm); 50 hand-coloured plates, errata list following the index, light offsetting from plates, the occasional small spot or mark; contemporary mottled green calf rebacked to style with gilt cornucopia tools, decorative roll to boards gilt, marbled endpapers, boards scuffed, old repairs to corners, spine browned with old repairs, very good condition.