I found this rather battered copy of James Duncan's Guide to British Moths and Sphinxes [hawk-moths], published in 1836, in an antiquarian bookshop. The hand-coloured plates are particularly attractive, although some are missing (no death's head hawk-moth, unfortunately). They show the moths in colour against plants drawn in outline in the background. Double-click the images for a larger view.
This is the delightful frontispiece.
Hummingbird hawk-moth and caterpillar,Broad-bordered bee hawk-moth, Narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth
Lime hawk-moth, Privet hawk-moth and caterpillar
Red underwing and Clifden Nonpareil (which has been described as 'the Holy Grail of British Moths')
You can read a digital version of the book by clicking here The plates are all grouped at the end of the book in this version.
What a superb find - the illustrations are a total delight. I love old nature books and treasure the small collection of Wayside and Woodland books I have collected over the years :)
ReplyDeleteYou can read an on-line version at http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015028676826;view=1up;seq=295
DeleteScroll down to the end to see all the plates (which you can copy/download)
Beautiful illustrations. Thanks for the link!
ReplyDeleteGood to see so many old natural history books online these days, ism't it?
DeleteWhat lovely images, I too love to collect books like this.
ReplyDeleteAmanda xx
Me too - I like the idea of all the people who have used them in the past
DeleteFantastic book- it gave me shivers! A Clifden turned up here last autumn, made my week :o)
ReplyDeleteIt's one of my ambitions to see one, but v. unlikely this far north
DeleteThank you so much for the link, the images are sublime.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful ... exquisite images, thanks for sharing. I love the old nature books!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for providing the link to the plates of the book - exquisite drawings, just beautiful.
ReplyDelete