Fleurs

1793 · Best.-Nr. 039192 — Stephen Couchman 1793. Book. Very Good. Hardcover. Royal 8vo. The Botanical Magazine which in 1801 became Curtis's Botanical Magazine is generally recognised as being the most important journal of its kind and still published today. Magnificent illustrations and beauty of production are combined with a high standard of science. This is probably the most comprehensive set ever offered either through the trade or at auction: the first 200 volumes 1793 - 1999 missing just three volumes - nos. 123 124 & 125 1897-1899. Additionally the two Companion volumes dated 1835-1836 are present plus the Dedications volume and various index volumes as documented below. In the main series a total of c. 9380 superb hand-coloured plates plus c. 125 etched or lithographic uncoloured plates plus c. 1265 colour-printed plates a total of c. 10770 plates. The majority of this collection handsomely bound in more or less matching contemporary full straight-grained green morocco extra gilt decoration to the spines all edges richly gilt marbled end papers. These volumes originally from the Library of Henry Rogers Broughton 2nd Baron Fairhaven the earlier volumes in turn from Havringland Hall Norfolk seat of the Fellows family with the Haverland armorial bookplate the later volumes with the Broughton bookplate. Volumes bound thus 1-69 71-88 97-105 108-122 127-131 156-163 the later ones bound by C. Fox W.1 of London. Otherwise vol. 70 bound in half brown Morocco also by Fox; vols. 89-96 106-107 & 126 in the publisher's green cloth; vols 132 & 133 in brown cloth to match; vols. 134-155 vols 138-146 & 148-155 with the armorial bookplate of George Walter Erskine Lodder & 164-184 in the publisher's brown cloth or brown cloth to match some with the bookplate of William Jocelyn Lewis Palmer or David Jamison. Vols. 185-200 in the original 4 parts per volume in wrappers from 1984-1994 the publication was renamed "Kew Magazine" thereafter reverting to Curtis's Botanical Magazine. Vols. 1-5 are reprints overseen by William Curtis published 1793 the first edition was published in 1787 1796 1797 1796 & 1796 respectively thereafter all first editions. Vol. 1 with an engraved frontispiece portrait of W. Curtis this was not present in the first edition and is different from that which appears in the 1828 "General Index". Vols. 132 & 133 1906 -1907 are uncoloured 120 plates: nos. 8052 -8171. At this time the Botanical Magazine was issued in coloured and uncoloured versions the latter have a different quality as the purity of the stone lithography is displayed to full advantage. Additionally: "General Indexes. the first twenty volumes." pub. 1805 contemporary half brown calf. And: "General Indexes.the first forty-two volumes." pub. 1817 contemporary half dark green morocco marbled end papers J. H. Langston. Sarsden bookplate. And: "General Indexes. the first fifty-three volumes." pub. 1828 engraved frontispiece portrait of William Curtis dated 1800 full straight-grained green morocco to match main set Haverland bookplate. And: "General index.the first hundred and seven volumes." pub 1883 publisher's red cloth. And: "Companion to the Botanical Magazine; Being a Journal". vol. I 1835 & vol. II 1836 together 30 engraved plates of which 25 partially hand-coloured; full straight-grained green morocco as above Haverland bookplate. And "Curtis's Botanical Magazine Dedications 1827-1927" 100 b/w portrait plates pub. 1931 publisher's brown cloth. Condition is generally fine to very good all bindings strong some of the earlier volumes lightly faded to the spines. Plates mostly very clean a few with a little spotting or offsetting. A few of the volumes in original paper wrappers are slightly more worn. This virtually full set of the first 200 volumes offers a rare opportunity to acquire what is undoubtedly one of the cornerstones of the botanical literature. Please note this is a large heavy set and a postal surcharge may apply. . Stephen Couchman Hardcover