Lot 193: OEDER, Georg Christian (1728-1791) [vols. I-III], Otto Frederik MÜLLER (1730-1784) [vols. IV-V], Martin VAHL (1749-1804) [vols. VI] (editors). [ FLORA DANICA ]. Icones plantarum spone nascentium in regnis Daniae et Norvegiae... Florae Danicae

OEDER, Georg Christian (1728-1791) [vols. I-III], Otto Frederik MÜLLER (1730-1784) [vols. IV-V], Martin VAHL (1749-1804) [vols. VI] (editors). [ FLORA DANICA ]. Icones plantarum spone nascentium in regnis Daniae et Norvegiae... Florae Danicae nomine inscriptium. Copenhagen: Nicolai Möller, 1764-1792. 18 fascicles in 6 volumes (of 18), 2 o (373 x 245 mm). Volume titles printed in red and black, fascicles with half-titles. 1080 numbered hand-colored engraved plates, after Martin Rössler, Friderik Müller and others. (A few plates trimmed to platemark.) 20th-century half calf, marbled boards, spines with red and green morocco lettering pieces. THE FIRST SIX VOLUMES OF THIS GREAT EUROPEAN FLORA, WITH PLATES IN FINE CONDITION. One of "the finest national floras ever compiled" (Blunt and Stearn), the Flora Danica was begun by George Christian Oeder, founder of the Royal Botanical Institute in Copenhagen, in 1761. It continued for 122 years, becoming, with its 3240 plates, the most comprehensive illustrated survey of the wild plants of Denmark and its adjacent regions, from the far side of the Elbe to the Artic Sea. Nissen praised the engraved illustrations as the best in their field, combining precise scientific accuracy with great aesthetic merit. Blunt and Stearn note that "the earlier plates, in particular, are extremely delicately engraved and beautifully coloured;" in the present copy, which comprises plates issued up until 1792, by Rvssler, M,ller and others, the plates are indeed very finely engraved. Copies were issued both colored and uncolored. Hunt 594; Nissen BBI 2249; Stafleu and Cowan 7001. (6)