DONOVAN, Edward (1768-1837). An Epitome of the Natural History of the Insects of China: comprising figures and descriptions of upwards of one hundred new, singular, and beautiful species. [and:] – An Epitome of the Natural History of the Insects of India, and the Islands in the Indian Seas. [and:] – An Epitome of the Natural History of the Insects of New Holland, New Zealand, New Guinea, Otaheite, and other islands in the Indian, Southern and Pacific Oceans. London: for the author by T. Bensley, 1798[-99] [vol.I]; for the author, Messrs. Rivington and others, 1800-[1804] [vol.II]; for the author and for F.C. and J. Rivington, 1805 [vol.III].

First editions of Donovan’s ‘general epitome of the insects of Asia’, comprising three beautifully illustrated works on the insects of China, India, and New Holland. Of the volume relating to the insects of Australia and the South Pacific, Donovan writes: ‘there is, perhaps, no extent of country in the world, that can boast of a more copious or diversified assemblage of interesting objects in every department of natural history than New Holland: it bursts upon our view at the first glance like a new creation’ (‘Advertisment’). Ferguson, 408 (vol.III); Nissen ZBI 1143-1145.

3 volumes, quarto (288 x 222mm). Vol.I: 50 hand-coloured engraved plates by Donovan; vol.II: 58 hand-coloured engraved plates by Donovan, with the errata slip pasted in; vol.III: 41 hand-coloured engraved plates by Donovan (without the series title to vol.III, lightly browned, occasional light spotting). Contemporary calf, sides tooled in blind within double gilt rule, spines gilt with black morocco labels (some expert repairs to spine ends, joints, and sides of vol.I). Provenance: Miss Rigden. St. Lawrence (bookplate).

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