1622 - Seitz, A.

Seitz, A. The Large Butterflies of the World. A systematic treatment of the large butterflies known to date. Edited in collaboration with the most distinguished experts. Volumes I–IV (of XVI) in 8 volumes (text and plate volumes). Stuttgart, Lehmann and Kernen, 1906–15. Large 4°. With a total of 245 chromolithographic plates. Contemporary half-leather binding (some copies bound differently). Nissen ZBI, 3799 N. - Available are the four volumes of the first section (excluding the 4 supplementary volumes), which cover the large butterflies of the Palearctic faunal region: Volume I. The Palaearctic Butterflies (text and plate volume, 89 plates). - Volume II. The Palaearctic Spinners and Hawkmoths (text and plate volume, 56 plates). - Volume III. Owlet-Moths (text and plate volume, 25 plates). - Volume IV. Geometer Moths (text and plate volume, 75 plates). The second section, comprising a total of twelve volumes, covers exotic fauna. This monumental work undertook the task of cataloging all butterflies and moths of the world in all their forms and depicting them in their natural size and coloration. “The extremely meticulous, purely scientific reproduction is impressive… the entire work remains unique and has become an indispensable part of the literature” (Nissen). - All volumes in good condition, though with slight signs of wear; all title pages bear old stamps; Vol. I lacks a title page. One plate in Vol. I is attached. Two plates in Vol. II are duplicates. Plates 12 and 13 in Vol. IV feature a collector’s montages as well as inserted annotations and occasional corrections to the labels. Vol. I (text and plate volume) has a different binding (contemporary black half-leather with a mounted illustrated front cover).