Lot 78: HILL, John, Sir (ca 1716-1775). The Family Herbal.

HILL, John, Sir (ca 1716-1775). The Family Herbal.

Bungay: Printed and Published by C. Brightly, and T. Kinnersley, n.d. (ca 1830s).

8vo (201 x 135 mm). 54 hand-colored plates (some spotting). (Some occasional marginal dampstaining.) Contemporary calf, spine gilt with black leather label (rebacked preserving original spine, corners bumped, edges worn, a strip of leather scuffed off back cover, joints cracked). Provenance: S Cocks, Inworth, Essex (ownership signature on front free endpaper); C. Barnard (ownership signature dated "1855 Sept. 13" on front flyleaf); modern bookplate "N" (Nan West?) on front pastedown.

Later edition.One of the most important English popular herbals after Culpeper, Hill's herbal was first published in 1754 with the title "The Useful Family Herbal." Although Hill was a controversial figure in his time, his practical recommendations for curing a variety of ailments were extremely useful.