The Larvae of the British Butterflies and Moths Vols I-IX by William Buckler, H T Stainton and Geo T Porritt [editors] - 1886

London : The Ray Society, 1886 The complete set of this work in 9 volumes in the original Ray Society decorative cloth bindings with top page edges gilt. With 164 colour printed plates. This painstaking work was published over the years 1886-1901, beginning with H T Stainton as the editor, and then, when he died, Geo Porritt. The set was originally owned by the Glasgow and Andersonian Natural History and Microscopical Society - a Society set up in 1885 to further understanding of natural history. As such there are some library markings, but they are generally unobtrusive. Vols I-IV have slight marking to the middle of the spine where a library label would have been pasted. These 4 volumes have some fading to their spines but the boards - as in all the volumes are bright and clean. All the volumes have the Ray Society title and then the volume title. They have all got library labelling to the front pastedowns and some have some discolouration to the fep. There is a small ink number to the rear of the title pages. The condition of the text and plates is very good. Vol I, 1886, 202 pp text; 17 plates with descriptions; Ray Society notes 30pp; stitching visible at pages 145 and 161; spine some pulling and slight cloth split at the spine top; plates have small oblong stamp to rear. Vol II: 1887; text 169pp; 18 plates; Ray Soc notes 30pp; slight spine fade and some pulling. Vol III: 1889; text 79pp; 18 plates; Ray Soc notes 31pp; small oblong stamps to rear of plates. Vol IV: 1891; text 115pp; 16 plates; Ray Soc notes 31pp; some browning to Ray Soc title page; some fraying to rear endpaper. Vol V: 1893; text 90pp; 17 plates; Ray Soc notes 32pp; slight pulling to spine; small dent to outer edge front board; pencil ticks againt Ray Soc publications list. Vol VI: 1895; text 140pp; 19 plates; Ray Soc notes 30pp. Vol VII; 1897; text 176pp; 22 plates; Ray Soc notes 30pp; slight dent in front board at edge. Vol VIII: 1899; text 120pp; 20 plates; Ray Soc notes 31pp; small dent in front board. Vol IX: 1901; text 419pp; 17 plates; Ray Soc notes 31pp; slight pulling to spine; small dent to outer edge front board. A nice set.