London :for the Author,1766,folio , Large Paper (480 x 300mm),with engraved hand-coloured Frontispiece, Engraved Vignette Title and 41 fine hand-coloured plates, Contemporary calf, hinges repaired.
A Special Copy probably Prepared for the Countess of Aylesford, Packington, Warwicks, with the Earl of Aylesford’s Engraved Bookplate on the verso of the Title. One of the Subscribers, Plate 13 is Dedicated to the Countess with 4 leaves mounted probably by the Publisher. A Contemporary Manuscript Index and List of the Lepidoptera and works in which the subjects were described, all descriptions of the Lepidoptera in English have a Latin description in manuscript. (probably in the hand of the Countess).
“One of the most outstanding authors of entomological literature during the eighteenth century. Inspired by an uncle of the same name and being in comparatively easy circumstances, Harris began to take an active interest in entomology about the age of twelve and, in spite of his lack of education,was an accurate and original observer. He was, it is believed,the first to draw attention to the importance of wing neuration in the classification of lepidoptera and upon this principle he arranged the species of his published works, illustrating them in colour with a high degree of accuracy. He certainly contributed much to the knowledge of the science and was one of the leading entomologists of his century. ”Lisney .
Harris drew from live specimens. His plates are amongst the most beautiful of their kind, showing dorsal and ventral views of all the subjects, together with various stages of development (egg, caterpillar, chrysalis), each with their preferred food.
Cf. Lisney 234; Nissen ZBI 1835.
