Dru Drury | Illustrations of natural history... exotic insects, London, 1770-1773, 2 volumes, calf

Dru Drury

Illustrations of natural history, wherein are exhibited upwards of two hundred and forty figures of exotic insects, according to their different genera. London: the author, to be sold by B. White, 1770-1773

2 volumes, 4to (294 x 226mm. & 287 x 221mm.), text in English and French, one plain engraved plate in prelims of volume 1, 100 hand-coloured engraved plates by Moses Harris (on undated Whatman paper), non-uniform contemporary brown calf, volume 2 rebacked retaining original spine with new lettering-piece

Drury (1724-1803) is considered to be the father of British entomology; an avid collector, he obtained specimens of insects from around the world, supplied to him by ship's officers and other travellers, many of which were illustrated by Moses Harris for this comprehensive work on non-native insects.

A third volume was published in 1782, not here present. All three volumes were organised and financed by Drury himself; see William Noblett, "Dru Drury's letters (1770-1775) to the Cambridge bookseller, John Woodyer", Transactions of the Cambridge Bibliographical Society, 10 (1994), 539-547.

LITERATURE:

ESTC T144818; Nissen ZBI 1160

PROVENANCE:

Benjamin Giles King, Youngsbury, Hertfordshire, bookplates