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Wilkes.Bowles's New Coll.Eng.Moths/Butterflies

Wilkes (Benjamin) Bowles's New Collection of English Moths and Butterflies...,

second edition, engraved throughout with title within hand-coloured decorative border of caterpillars and pupae and 12 hand-coloured engraved plates, title very lightly soiled and with pencil signature at head, wide margins at head and foot, modern half calf over marbled boards in antique style [by Bernard Middleton], spine gilt in compartments with red morocco label, uncut, [Lisney 183; Nissen 4411], folio, Carington Bowles, [c.1770].

***A very rare book, which holds a unique place in English natural history, in that the stunning plates are composed with decorative, rather than didactic effect. The first edition was published in 1742 without a formal title, the title in this edition is a reworking of the original dedication to the Aurelian Society using the same engraved cartouche. The first edition was advertised as being available plain or coloured (Lisney 181 & 182, his own copies cited); of this re-issue he had only a plain copy (Lisney 183) and states, "This edition is as rare as the first and I have not been able to find any evidence that the plates were issued in colour." However, the colour in our copy is definitely contemporary, and it is clear that Carington followed his father John in offering the work in two states. Both editions are very uncommon with only one copy being sold at auction in the last 30 years..