Jablonsky Original Butterfly Print 1747 Delias, Helic

Morpho Butterflies
8 ½ inches by 7 ½ inches
JAB81 $125

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 etymologist Johann F. W. Herbst.

The plate has original hand colorings & is almost 289 years old.  This work is one of the most attractively illustrated entomological works of the period, with brilliant hand colouring and fine engraving.