Wollaston, Thomas Vernon.

First edition, 4to (305 x 230mm.), 13 engraved plates by Frederick Smith after J.O. Westwood, suite of 8 hand-coloured plates (nos II, IV, V, VI, IX, XI, XII, and XIII) inserted in sequence, a letterpress prospectus for the book, a manuscript leaf listing 22 subscribers (“Names already received”), and a letterpress list of subscribers bound in before the title, contemporary half morocco gilt, bookplate of the author, slight spotting to plates, binding slightly rubbed

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The author's own copy of “an admirable work... excellent in its facts; & the author a most nice & modest man” (Charles Darwin). Wollaston (1822-1878) was an entomologist known for his studies on variation in species of Coleoptera inhabiting several North Atlantic archipelagos. Insecta Maderensia was published in a small print run: the subscribers' list gives only 50 names (one subscribing to two copies).

Darwin was given a copy of the book by the author, and gave his opinions on it in a letter to J.D. Hooker dated 7 March 1855. Wollaston's next publication, On the Variation of Species, with Especial Reference to the Insecta (1856) was dedicated to Darwin, and on 22 April 1856 Wollaston joined Huxley and Hooker at Down House, where Darwin's nascent theory of evolution was discussed, as Lyell reported: “they (all four of them) ran a tilt against [immutable] species farther I believe than they are deliberately prepared to go. Wollaston least unorthodox” (quoted by Desmond and Moore, p.435).

Although Nissen and BM(NH) call for 13 coloured plates, it is probable that this copy was bound up using a full set of 13 uncoloured plates and 8 coloured “overs”, to avoid the expense of having another set of the plates coloured.