1765 ❧ Most celebrated entomological work of the 18-century. RÖSEL VON ROSENHOF, AUG...

1765 ❧ Most celebrated entomological work of the 18-century. RÖSEL VON ROSENHOF, AUGUST JOHANN (1705-1759). Translated by Christian Friedrich Carl Kleemann. De natuurlyke historie der insecten... including: Vervolg op de natuurlyke historie der insecten. Haarlem and Amsterdam: Christoph Heinrich Bohn; Hermanus de Wit, [1765-1788]. 5 parts in 10 volumes (comprising the four main parts bound in 8 volumes, the Vervolg supplement and Tyd-wyzer der rupsen), 4to (275 x 212 mm) and (213 x 137 mm) [Tyd-wyzer der rupsen]. 3 hand-colored engraved frontispieces, an engraved portrait of the author, and 385 fine hand-colored engraved plates on 314 leaves; with the timetable leaf in the Tyd-wyzer der rupsen. Lacking the half-title in the second volume of the first part, some light intermittent spotting and smudges. Contemporary dark green half morocco, marbled boards, spines gilt. Some minor rubbing to extremities. FIRST EDITION in Dutch of one of the most celebrated, luxurious, and beautifully illustrated entomological works of the eighteenth century. Originally published in German as Der monatlich-herausgegebenen Insecten-Belustigung (Nuremberg, 1746-1792), this Dutch translation by Rösel's son-in-law, Christian Friedrich Carl Kleemann (1735-1789), is widely considered by collectors to be the definitive and most desirable edition. Kleemann significantly augmented the original text with his own observations, and the contemporary Dutch hand-coloring is celebrated for its extraordinary vividness, precision, and depth, rendering it superior to many contemporary German issues. Complete copies including the elusive fifth part, or Vervolg, are notoriously difficult to find on the market. The supplement was published in sporadic installments long after the main work was finished, meaning many original subscribers never completed their sets. The present set includes the third text variant of the Vervolg (featuring an interleaved manuscript title-page) and the intact Tyd-wyzer der rupsen. Horn & Schenkling 18287; Landwehr Coloured Plates 161; Nissen ZBI 3467; STCN 151442614. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing