DRURY, Dru (1724-1803) - Illustrations of Exotic Entomology. Londra: Henry Bohn, 1837.   Second edition of this fine work of entomology, published for the first time between 1770 and 1782 and richly illustrated with hand-coloured plates. Drury was a passionate collector and owned more than 11,000 specimens collected thanks to the network of acquaintances he had cultivated among the officers of merchant ships. His collection was therefore extremely varied and included many exotic insects. The remarkable engravings of Moses Harris (1730-1788) depict Lepidoptera, Orthoptera and Coleoptera, some depicted for the first time.   3 volumes, 4to (272 x 216mm). One unnumbered black and white plate, 150 colour plates protected by tissue paper (title of the second volume on guard, light browning, occasional foxing, sometimes heavier). Later half calf over marbled paper, gilt title on spine labels (front cover detached in first and third volume, somewhat worn). It was not possible to find a collation, the text is apparently complete and collated as follows: a-c4 d2(-d2) B-Q4 R2, a2(-a2) b2 B-N4 O2, a2(-a2) b2 B-M4 N4(-N4). (3)

Estimate € 1,000 - 1,500