Butterflies.- Sepp (Jan Christiaan) Beschouwing der Wonderen Gods, in de minst geachte schepzelen. Of Nederlandsche Insecten naar hunne aanmerkelijke huishouding, verwonderlijke gedaantewisseling en andere wetenswaardige bijzonderheden..., 8 vol., first series, 8 attractively hand-coloured engraved frontispieces, 400 fine hand-coloured engraved and lithograph plates, [Horn-Schenkling 20145; Nissen ZBI 3808], Amsterdam, J.C. Sepp, 1762-1860 § van Vollenhoven (S.C. Snellen) Beschrijvingen en Afbeeldingen van Nederlandsche Vilnders, 4 vol., second series, 200 fine hand-coloured lithograph plates, [Nissen ZBI 3808a], Amsterdam [&] The Hague, J.C. Sepp [&] Martinus Nijhoff, 1860-1900, non-uniformly bound in contemporary calf or calf-backed boards, gilt spines with red morocco labels, a little rubbed and with a few repairs, 4to (12)

⁂ A complete set of the first and second series of one of the finest works on butterflies. The third and final series was published later from 1905-28 and included 10 plates.

"The book was once described as one of the most beautiful books ever published on Lepidoptera. When starting the work the intention was to include all insects but it became a work on Lepidoptera only. After the death of his father in 1775 Jan Christiaan continued the work using many descriptions from his own personal observations. He started to collect insects and embarked on many collecting expeditions. He built a very fine insect collection and was an excellent entomologist in addition to his skills as an artist. Jan Christiaan had inherited his father's skill as an artist and engraver but his own son Jan (1778-1853), who helped him and continued the series, although a good artist had not the same talent " (P. Gilbert. Butterfly Collectors and Painters, p.70).