Jardins

1851 · réf. ST15472 — Paris: L. Curmer & V. Lecou 1851. First Illustrated Edition. 280 x 185 mm. 11 x 7 1/4". iv 416 pp. EXTREMELY ATTRACTIVE CONTEMPORARY CAT'S-PAW CALF covers with triple gilt fillet borders and floral cornerpieces raised bands spine gilt in compartments with floral centerpiece and fleuron cornerpieces tan morocco label gilt turn-ins all edges gilt. With numerous in-text black & white illustrations seven of which are full-page and eight botanical color plates including frontispiece all with light pink titled tissue guards. Front pastedown with armorial bookplate of Edward Nicholas Hurt see below. Vicaire IV 639-40. Light scattered patches of foxing occasionally found on plates though not affecting the image but overall a beautiful copy the binding lustrous and wonderfully well preserved and the pages especially fresh very white and entirely clean. Penned by a former editor of "Le Figaro" who had a passion for flora this is an enchanting meditation on the delights of the garden illustrated here for the first time by some of the leading artists of the period. Writing a series of letters to a friend who had left to travel abroad the author decides to do some travelling of his own within the confines of his garden. On his botanical sojourn he lovingly describes the minutiae and changes that occur within this world which contains more than 200 species of flora and fauna. The narrative often includes the history of the various plants and flowers while adding the author's own memories and colorful lyricism. The work first appeared in 1845 but in this edition Karr's garden is brought to life with a great many illustrations including eight full-page color botanical images. The author of several autobiographical romances Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr 1808-90 moved to Nice in 1855 where he devoted himself entirely to horticulture and according to Britannica "practically founded the trade in cut flowers on the Riviera." The bookplate here is that of notable bibliophile and barrister Edward Nicholas Hurt 1795-1867 of Derbyshire and Marylebone London. He married Caroline Strutt daughter of the immensely wealthy philanthropist and social reformer Joseph Strutt 1765-1844 who was twice Mayor of Derby. As the Strutt arms are incorporated into the escutcheon of Hurt's ornate bookplate the plate can be dated to no earlier than their wedding in 1828. Though the book is not uncommon on the market it would be impossible to find a copy in better condition than the present one. L. Curmer & V. Lecou unknown books