Details
SMITH, Sir James Edward (1759-1828). Exotic Botany: consisting of coloured figures and scientific descriptions of such new, beautiful, or rare plants as are worthy of cultivation in the gardens of Britain. London: R. Taylor, sold by James Sowerby [and others], 1804-1805.
2 volumes, 4° (292 x 230mm). 115 (of 120) hand-coloured engraved plates by James Sowerby, one folding. (Lacking plates 116-120 and the index in vol. II, some light unobtrusive spotting or browning notably to plate 60, occasional marginal soiling, small tear to p.43 not affecting text, plates 103, 115 with pasted-in corrections to captions). Contemporary diced russia gilt, tooled in blind, covers with later Botfield arms, marbled endpapers (extremities lightly rubbed, small stain and very light discolouration to upper cover of vol. I, lightly bumped corners to vol.II).
A handsome copy of this influential work by Smith, one of the foremost English botanists of the period, founder of the Linnean Society and botanical tutor to the royal family. Smith and Sowerby's descriptions and deptictions were based on their own collections of specimens and on drawings of exotic species collected by travellers and correspondents abroad, including Sir Joseph Banks. The work was published in parts, its object, as Smith's preface explains, being 'to introduce to the curious cultivator plants worthy of his acquisition from all parts of the globe, and to teach those who have correspondents abroad what to inquire for.' However, the project had to be discontinued after the second volume for lack of public support. This copy lacks the final 4 plates which were dated 'Jan. 1 1808.' BM(NH) IV, p.1947; Great Flower Books, p.78; Henrey 1341; Nissen BBI 1858; Pritzel 8743; Stafleu and Cowan 12244. (2)
2 volumes, 4° (292 x 230mm). 115 (of 120) hand-coloured engraved plates by James Sowerby, one folding. (Lacking plates 116-120 and the index in vol. II, some light unobtrusive spotting or browning notably to plate 60, occasional marginal soiling, small tear to p.43 not affecting text, plates 103, 115 with pasted-in corrections to captions). Contemporary diced russia gilt, tooled in blind, covers with later Botfield arms, marbled endpapers (extremities lightly rubbed, small stain and very light discolouration to upper cover of vol. I, lightly bumped corners to vol.II).
A handsome copy of this influential work by Smith, one of the foremost English botanists of the period, founder of the Linnean Society and botanical tutor to the royal family. Smith and Sowerby's descriptions and deptictions were based on their own collections of specimens and on drawings of exotic species collected by travellers and correspondents abroad, including Sir Joseph Banks. The work was published in parts, its object, as Smith's preface explains, being 'to introduce to the curious cultivator plants worthy of his acquisition from all parts of the globe, and to teach those who have correspondents abroad what to inquire for.' However, the project had to be discontinued after the second volume for lack of public support. This copy lacks the final 4 plates which were dated 'Jan. 1 1808.' BM(NH) IV, p.1947; Great Flower Books, p.78; Henrey 1341; Nissen BBI 1858; Pritzel 8743; Stafleu and Cowan 12244. (2)
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