Lot 872: [ENGLISH BOTANY; OR, COLOURED FIGURES OF BRITISH PLANTS, WITH THEIR ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS, SYNONYMS, AND PLACES OF GROWTH. TO WHICH WILL BE ADDED, OCCASIONAL REMARKS.

36 vol. here bound in 19 tomes, 8vo. - First edition of this impressive set of the first extensive survey of British flora. Our copy is bound in a particular way that escapes our knowledge, not following the numerical order of the plates, but presenting them in a random (?) order. The total amount of plates in our copy almost matches a complete set or what is presented as a complete set for sale. Illustrated with no less than 2.621 hand-coloured copper-engraved plates by James Sowerby who was the publisher and the artist of the work. All botanical text (to each plate) is by J.E. Smith (except that for pl. 16-18 by George Shaw). Smith's name appears on the title page only from vol. 4 onwards. Sowerby is referred to in the imprints as author (vol. 1-4), editor (vol. 5-6), or proprietor (vol. 7-36). The book appeared in 267 numbers; the plates are dated and these dates can be taken as the approximate dates of publication, however they are not absolute proof of effective publication (Stafleu & Cowan). At the end we find the "General indexes to the thirthy-six volumes" and the separate titles and the tables for each of the 36 vol. - Ref. Stafleu & Cowan V:12.221. - Nissen (BBI) 2225. - Pritzel 8789 & 8790. - BnF. - Prov. John Hopton of Canfrome in the County of Hereford (bookpl.).

1790-1814]

Contemp. gauffered sheep, flat gilt decor. spines (some spines loosening or loose, some with traces of tape, sm. def. to heads and tails). Good inside copy.