THOMSON, J.

Monographie des Cicindélides ou Exposé méthodique et critique des Tribus, Genres et Espèces de cette famille.

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Tome I (all published). Paris, Baillière, 1857. 4to (305 x 225mm). pp. xvii, 66, (2), with a splendid handcoloured engraved frontispiece heightened with gold and 10 (9 handcoloured) engraved plates. Contemporary half calf, spine with gilt lines and lettering.

one of the nicest frontispieces in the history of entomological illustration

Probably one of the nicest frontispieces in the history of entomological illustration. It is of remarkable artistic refinement, showing two beetles fighting in a landscape (Combats entre Manticores) amidst ornamental flowers and smaller beetles, high in the sky two cherubs holding a gilt coat-armour. The plates are after drawings of Nicolet and engraved by Lebrun and the excellent colouring is done by MMe Ve Vaillant. James Thomson (1828-1897) was an American by birth who lived in France for the greater part of his life. He wrote a number of papers on Coleoptera and formed a large collection which was sold to René Oberthür.

Horn-Schenkling 22014; Nissen ZBI, 4122.