C.G. Jablonsky Butterfly Prints 1747

These beautiful hand coloured copper plate engravings are from a rare work by Carl Gustav Jablonsky entitled Natursystem aller bekannten in-und ausländischen Insecten. It was one of the earliest and most comprehensive classifications of butterflies and insects according to the Linnaean taxonomy. Jablonsky (1756-1787) was also the private secretary to the Queen Elizabeth of Prussia. Sadly, he died at the age of 31 and his work was complete by another German entymologist Johann F. W. Herbst.

The plate measures approximately 8 ½ inches by 7 ½ inches, with original hand colouring. They lack complete plate marks, but the illustrations are intact and we have priced them accordingly. These original antique prints are about 267 years old with the description text in German to accompany each plate. This work is one of the most attractively illustrated entomological works of the period, with brilliant hand colouring and fine engraving.