WOOD, Theodore “Our Insect Allies" & "Our Insect Enemies” [1884–1885]

WOOD, THEODORE. Our Insect Allies. Our Insect Enemies.

London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1884–1885. First editions. 12mo. Two volumes, uniformly illustrated throughout with numerous in-text wood engravings of insects, including detailed figures such as the Burying-Beetle (Necrophorus humator). Publisher’s decorated cloth bindings: Allies in blue-green cloth stamped in gilt and black with large beetle devices to upper cover; Enemies in mustard-yellow cloth stamped in gilt and black with insect vignettes; both with decorative monogram device at foot of spine.

Our Insect Allies: cloth lightly rubbed at extremities with minor bumping to corners and spine ends; a few faint surface marks to lower cover; text block clean and sound, light toning to preliminaries; inner hinges secure. Bookplate of C. Barclay Holland. Very Good.

Our Insect Enemies: moderate rubbing and darkening to cloth, heaviest along spine; spine ends softened with small frays; corners gently bumped; hinges starting but holding; contents clean with light, even toning. Good+.

An attractive Victorian entomological pair by Theodore Wood, written to introduce general readers and younger audiences to the beneficial and destructive roles of insects in agriculture and daily life. The companion volumes are visually striking in their contrasting cloth colors and retain their crisp period wood-engraved illustrations. Offered together as a matched set.