WILKES, Benjamin (fl. 1742) - photo 1
WILKES, Benjamin (fl. 1742) - photo 2
WILKES, Benjamin (fl. 1742) - photo 3
WILKES, Benjamin (fl. 1742) - photo 4

WILKES, Benjamin (fl. 1742)

Lot 186
12.07.2023 00:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 630
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 993214
Lot 186 | WILKES, Benjamin (fl. 1742)
Estimate value
£ 1 000 – 1 500
WILKES, Benjamin (fl. 1742)

Dedication to the worthy members of the Aurelian Society ... Twelve New Designs of English Butterflies. London: for John Bowles & Son, by Benj. Wilkes, June 15, 1742.

First edition, second issue, of an extremely rare book. According to Lisney ‘It is unlikely that this work was distributed bound as a volume, but the plates were probably set out on Wilkes's stall for sale either singly or in sets of twelve’. It occupies a unique place in English natural history, in that the plates are composed with decorative, rather than didactic effect, with the subjects arranged in a geometric fashion. An exact number of copies held by institutions is very difficult to determine because states of issue are not recorded accurately, but we have only been able to trace one complete coloured copy at the Natural History Museum, South Kensington; the Wellcome Collection appears to hold a partially coloured defective copy, and they do not state issue. BM(NH) Suppl. VIII, 1434; Freeman British Natural History Books 3997 (issue not stated); Lisney 182.



Folio (470 x 305mm). Engraved title, and 12 plain plates by H. Roberts after B. Wilkes, dated 1741-42, loose as issued (titled browned and torn with some loss, old tape repair to verso; the plates with stab holes to upper blank margin, some stains, plate 12 torn and chipped with small loss), preserved in a modern green half cloth portfolio, marbled boards, cloth ties.





Special notice

This lot is offered without reserve. No VAT is payable on the hammer price or the buyer's premium for this lot. Please see the VAT Symbols and Explanation section of the Conditions of Sale for further information
Artist:Benjamin Wilkes (? - 1749)
Place of origin:Northern Europe, Europe, United Kingdom
Auction house category:Printed books
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
12.07.2023 – 12.07.2023
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

More from Creator

WILKES, Benjamin (fl.1740-1750)
WILKES, Benjamin (fl.1740-1750)
£2 000

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.
?>