Skip to content
AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEED | EXPERT ADVICE
AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEED

The Aurelian: or, natural history of British insects, namely, moths and butterflies.

Together with the plants on which they feed.

Stock Code 110313

London, For the Author, 1766 [1773].

Original price £7,500.00 - Original price £7,500.00
Original price £0.00
£7,500.00
£7,500.00 - £7,500.00
Current price £7,500.00
A beautiful record of English butterflies and moths, incorporating all the stages of the life cycle for each, positioned on the plants on which they feed and breed. Moses Harris (1730-1787) was an accomplished artist as well as entomologist, and this work contains details of more than forty butterflies and moths, along with some beetles and dragonflies.

Plates 17 and 35 are in their first state with the original dedications.

From the library of Montagu George Knight (1844-1914) of Chawton, great nephew of Jane Austen. The book was listed in the Godmersham Park library catalogue (the library was moved to Chawton before Godmersham was sold in 1874).

First edition, second issue; folio (47 x 28.2 cm); large paper copy, engraved vignette on title-page, engraved coloured schematic plate in preliminaries, 44 hand-coloured engraved plates (the final plate dated 1773, all watermarked Villedary), final letterpress index leaf; contemporary speckled calf, single gilt fillet border, lacking frontispiece portrait, occasional light offsetting from colouring, rebacked retaining original spine, spine repaired at head and foot

ESTC T22753 (listing 3 copies); Lisney 230.
Provenance

Provenance: Montagu George Knight (armorial bookplate).

Delivery

We offer secure and express delivery on all local and international orders of rare books, maps and prints placed through this website.

About us

Shapero Rare Books is an internationally renowned dealer in antiquarian & rare books and works on paper.

Our Bookshop and Gallery can be found in the heart of Mayfair at 106 New Bond Street, where most of our stock is available to view and on public display.

We exhibit at major international art fairs, including TEFAF (Maastricht and New York), Frieze Masters, Art Miami and Masterpiece London, as well as antiquarian & rare book fairs including New York, Paris, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hong Kong.

Read more

Ask us a question

The Aurelian: or, natural history of British insects, namely, moths and butterflies.

HARRIS, Moses.

Stock code: 110313

£7,500.00

THE BOND STREET EXPERIENCE

An exceptional experience in the heart of London’s Mayfair for not only seasoned collectors but those considering purchasing their first rare book or print.

Guaranteed Authenticity
GUARANTEED AUTHENTICITY
International Delivery
INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY
Meet Our Booksellers
MEET OUR BOOKSELLERS
Free Gift Wrapping
FREE GIFT WRAPPING

BOOK COLLECTING IDEAS

Your cart is empty

Continue shopping

Basket