British Butterflies and Their Transformations.

£950 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

"A high, and arguably unequalled standard in Victorian butterfly book illustration" (Dunbar). Westwood, a distinguished entomologist and member of the Linnean Society, collaborated in writing the text to accompany the charming paintings by Humphreys. Each print depicts several species artistically composed among the flowering caterpillar food plants, and in many instances the caterpillar and chrysalis are shown. Some of the grander European species are also shown. First edition; 4to (28 x 23 cm); bookplate to pastedown, additional hand-coloured pictorial half-title, 42 lithograph plates by H. N. Humphreys, printed in colours and finished by hand, paper flaw to p. 45, spotting to endpapers; half green morocco over marbled paper boards, spine gilt, all edges gilt, a little rubbing to extremities; [2], xii, 138, [2] pp.

• Binding: Hardcover

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.