A natural history of spiders, and other curious insects.

4to: front.-[10]-76 pp.; 52 pl. (some soiling on the text pages, some tiny wormholes near the gutter throughout, pl. 52 missing).

Contemp. sheep with gilt-ruled borders on covers (corners, covers, sides and spine def. and cracked). Good interior copy.

First and only edition of this important early work on spiders by the English naturalist, watercolourist and illustrator E. Albin (fl. 1690 - ca. 1742). Ill. with a front. by J. Scotin incorporating a portrait of the author on horseback and 52 (of 53) engr. plates, all hand-coloured, by J. Smith, I. Carnitham and J. Basire after Albin. With extracts from Robert Hooke "Microscopical observations on the Carter Spider, and Jumping Spider" and "Observations on the Flea and Louse", and from Dr. Richard Mead, to whom the present vol. is dedicated, "Of the Tarantula" and "Of the Scorpion". Subscriber's list in front.
Ref. Nissen (ZBI) 60. - ESTC T180295.
Prov. "C.H. Brande" (ms. entry on endpaper and title). - Stamp on title.