The Macrolepidoptera of the World (a complete, fully bound set: 16 volumes and 4 supplements bound in 30 total volumes

Stuttgart: Alfred Kernen Verlag, 1909-1954. First edition.. A bright and clean set that is in fine (new) condition.. Pp. complete text and 1,458 chromolithographed plates. Publisher’s original brown half-calf over green cloth boards, spines are lettered in gilt with numerous gilt panel lines and with a gilt lepidopterological vignette at the head of each spine, lg 4to (31.5 x 25.0 cm; 12 ½ x 9 ¾ inches). This is the complete, bound set of the rarer and more sought-after English edition of this important work on butterflies and moths. Its fine color plates were made using the process of 10-to 14-colour lithography producing exquisite color plates. The editor, Adalbert Seitz, had a plan to finish the work in 1912 but in reality, publication ceased in 1954, even then several volumes remained unfinished. Seitz died in 1938 but the publication of the work continued after his death. The Macrolepidoptera of the World was published in 16 volumes with four supplements and is composed as follows: Volumes 1-4, Palaearctic Fauna with four supplement volumes; Volumes 5-8, American Fauna (vols 7 and 8 remained unfinished); Volumes 9-12, Indo-Australian Fauna (vols 11 and 12 remained unfinished); Volumes 13-16 African Fauna (vols 15 and 16 remained unfinished). Seitz visited all of the major lepidoptera collections around the world in order to compile this major study. It has not been surpassed. No ownership marks and no signs of use. This is a very large and heavy set; it will require much extra postage. In the USA the cost will be $300. International airmail will be much more depending on the country.