Lot 1079: PARKINSON, JOHN. 1567-1640. Theatrum Botanicum: the Theater of Plants. Or, An Herball of a Large Extent. London: Thomas Cotes, 1640.

Theatrum Botanicum: the Theater of Plants. Or, An Herball of a Large Extent. London: Thomas Cotes, 1640. [5] ll. (a)υ4, B-4Lυ6, 4Mυ4, 4N-7Iυ6 (lacking 7I6). Additional engraved title; illustrated with woodcuts throughout. Folio (337 x 223 mm). Period half calf, rebacked, with early gilt spine label. Engraved title backed and detached, preliminary leaves with fore-edge partially reinforced, 4O5-6 with 15 mm hole, tear from 5T2, corrigenda pasted to verso of 7I5, which is detached, some interesting early marginalia throughout, dampstain in outer margins of final several signatures, but else generally internally clean, binding worn, covers 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.