[FIRST EDITION] Dr. J. Ritzema Bos - [Ex-libris of Sir Herbert Maxwell] La Mouche du Narcisse [2 COLOURED PLATES] - 1885

DESCRIPTION: I present at auction a scientific and bibliographic monograph of extraordinary beauty and rarity: "La Mouche du Narcisse (Merodon equestris F.)", written by the celebrated Dutch botanist and zoologist Dr. Jan Ritzema Bos (1850-1928), considered the father of plant pathology in the Netherlands, and printed in Haarlem in 1885 (1st EDITION) by Les Héritiers Loosjes.

A fascinating technical and artistic work dedicated to the analytical study of the narcissus fly (Merodon equestris), its metamorphoses and its impact on botany, notable for its impeccable editorial production, its majestic gilded heraldic supralibros embossed in gold and its sensational large-format chromolithographs that unfold.

ILLUSTRATIVE SPREAD AND ARTISTIC CHARACTERISTICS:

Two spectacular full-color fold-out plates (Plans Hors-Texte): highly precise anatomical lithographs made by Amand Lith. Amst. on drawings by the author himself (J. Ritzema Bos ad nat. del.).

+ Plate I (Pl. I): Comparative anatomical study of the fly, its wings, limbs and microscopic details chromolithographed with extraordinary delicacy.

+ Plate II (Pl. II): Color botanical cross-sections showing the development cycle, the larva and the damage caused inside narcissus bulbs.

+ Impressive heraldic supralibros in gold leaf: Front cover adorned with a sumptuous and complex heraldic crest embossed in bright gold with the Latin motto "REVI RESCO" ('I rise again') crowned by a double-headed eagle and vegetal motifs.

HIGH-ARISTOCRATIC BRITISH PROVENANCE:

Ex-Libris Engraving by Sir Herbert Maxwell: Retains on the inner endpapers a beautiful full-page bookplate belonging to Sir Herbert Eustace Maxwell, 7th Baronet of Monreith (1845–1937), renowned Scottish politician, naturalist, antiquarian and writer, with the motto "Liber Herberto Custacio Maxwell, Baronetto de Monreith, dilectus" and the family coat of arms flanked by harts.

YEAR OF PUBLICATION: Haarlem (Netherlands) 1885. 1st EDITION

LANGUAGE: French

SIZE AND PAGINATION: Dimensions: 29 x 20 cm. Pagination: (2 blank leaves) + Title page + 51 + [2] + (14 blank leaves) pp. COMPLETE WORK WITH THE 2 PRECIOUS COLOR FOLD-OUT PLATES

CONDITION: Half leather binding with tips, in good overall condition, with some rubbing and signs of use, as shown in the photos. Spine flat decorated with gold motifs inspired by plant life and the work’s title in gold. The interior is in good overall condition, as shown in the photos.

BEAUTIFUL AND VERY RARE FIRST EDITION WITH INCREDIBLE SCOTTISH ARISTOCRATIC PROVENANCE. DO NOT LET IT SLIP AWAY.

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