 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURTIS, William (1746-1799) and others, editors
The Botanical Magazine; or, Flower-Garden displayed
London: various imprints, 1787-1826. 54 volumes in 33 (vols. I-XLII in 21, index vols. to vols. I-XX and vols. I-XLII in one, vols. XLIII-LIII), octavo (9 x 5 1/2 inches). Uncoloured engraved portrait frontispiece of Curtis (at front of index vol.), 2694 engraved plates (2691 hand-coloured [178 of these folding]). Near-uniform contemporary tree calf, covers with gilt roll-tool border, the flat spines divided into six compartments, red morocco lettering-piece in the second, green morocco in the fourth, the others with repeat decoration in gilt centered on a large cornucopia tool, marbled endpapers.
A complete run in an exceptional binding of the first two series of one of the oldest scientific periodicals of its kind with hand-coloured engravings. "The reputation of the Magazine has always resided in the accuracy of its portrayal of plants. This pictorial record of garden and greenhouse plants from the temperate and tropical regions of the world has no rival.." (Desmond p.7)
William Curtis had witnessed from personal experience that his clients refused to buy folio pictures of plants (vide. his Flora Londinensis) but he felt that they would subscribe to an octavo work which pictured the showy plants that filled their gardens: from this premise was born the Botanical Magazine in February 1787. The work was immediately successful, and the early volumes were quickly re-issued. The bound volumes of the present set comprises First Series: vols. 1-42 in 21 vols; New Series (1st), vols. 43-53 in 11 vols. Curtis edited the work until his death in 1799 (vols.1-13), John Sims then took over until 1826. Also included are two general indices for the first 42 volumes, issued in 1805 (with a fine portrait of Curtis) and 1817. The plates were worked on by most of the most prominent botanical artists of the day, but the majority of the plates up to volume 43 are by Sydenham Edwards.
Great Flower Books (1990) pp. 156-7; Henrey 473; Hunt 689; Nissen BBI 2350; Pritzel 2007; Stafleu & Cowan TL2 1290.
|
#17309 $55,000.00 
|
© 2002-2005 Donald A. Heald
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
