Lot 1025: PARKINSON, JOHN. 1567-1640.

Theatrum Botanicum: the Theater of Plants. Or, An Herball of a Large Extent. London: Thomas Cotes, 1640. [5], (a)4, B-Llll6, Mmmm4, Nnnn-Hhhhhhh6, Iiiiiii5. Additional engraved title and illustrated with woodcuts throughout. Folio (337 x 223 mm). Period half calf, rebacked, with early gilt spine label laid down. Title-page backed and detached, Oooo5 and 6 with 15 mm hole, tear from Ttttt2, corrigenda pasted to verso of Iiiiiii5, which is detached, some interesting early marginalia throughout, dampstain in outer margins of final several signatures, but else generally internally clean, covers worn and detached.

First edition. Parkinson was Botanicus Regius Primarius to Charles I and Apothecary to James I. Theatrum Botanicum is the largest of the English herbals (nearly double that of the first edition of Gerard's) and is considered the greater of Parkinson's two works. Nissen BBI, 1490; Garrison & Morton 1823.
Provenance: John Glover (period ownership signature to title-page).
See illustration.