GOEDAERT, Jan

Métamorphoses naturelles ou Histoire des insectes observée tres-exactement suivant leur Nature & leurs Proprietez. Amsterdam, Pierre Mortier, 1700. 3 volumes in-12 (152 x 90 mm) of 1 engraved frontispiece and portrait, 5 ff.n.ch, 238 pp. and 64 engraved plates for volume I; engraved frontispiece, 1 f.n.c., 254 pp. and 42 engraved plates for volume II; engraved frontispiece, 1 f.n.c., 270 pp. and 21 engraved plates, 3 of which folding, for volume III. Brown calf, spine ribbed, compartments decorated with fleurons and small corner irons, edges speckled (contemporary binding). Nissen, ZBI, 1604. Original French edition. This famous work, first published in Latin between 1662 and 1667, explains the external morphology and the different phases of growth of insects. The author, a Dutch painter, was born in Middelburg in 1617, where he died in 1668. His Metamorphoses is the first book containing reproductions of insects made by intaglio engraving. The illustration, very pleasant, consists of 131 plates, that is to say: 3 frontispieces, two of which are signed by R. a Persyn, 1 portrait of the author in medallion surrounded by insects engraved by the same artist after W. Eversdyck, and 127 plates gathering 155 unsigned figures, engraved after drawings by Jan Goedaert. Pages 159-170 of volume III contain an article on bees. Some foxing, slightly damaged headbands, good copy however, complete with the 3 frontispieces, the title, and its 127 engraved plates.