The Macrolepidoptera of the World, a systematic description of the known Macrolepidoptera. The Indo-Australian Rhopalocera. Vol. 9.

Two volumes, text and plates. Large 4to's. I viii, 1197, [3] II 177 (plates) pp. In matching light burgundy buckram, spines gilt. Intended to be an exhaustive account of Butterflies the world over, Die Gross-Schmetterlinge de Erde was begun in 1909 by its editor Adalbert Seitz. Seitz chose to use a 10-14 chromolithography process for the illustrations of his work. The resultant vibrant chromolithographs that were produced have come to be regarded as unsurpassed in beauty and quality. Seitz intended to complete this work by 1912 in three languages (German, French & English). However, this goal was somewhat optimistic as portions of the work were still in process as late as 1954, 17 years after Seitz's death. Die Gross-Schmetterlinge de Erde was halted in that year leaving the project incomplete in all three languages. Contents in very good condition throughout, a little tape-staining to paste-downs and free endpapers, not affecting text. Boards marked internally with the stamp of Des Bartlett the renowned wild-life film-maker and photographer. A heavy item that will require extra postage.…