A SPECIMEN OF THE BOTANY OF NEW HOLLAND.
The figures by James Sowerby, F.L.S. Vol. I. [All published]. Pp. [v]-viii, 38, with 12 hand-coloured plates; med. 4to; modern qr. green morocco, spine lettered and decorated in gilt, marbled papered boards, slightly bowed; matching marbled endpapers; with the original upper-wrapper, repaired, worn and slightly soiled, to No. III bound in to serve as a title page; lacking the top fore-corner (margin only) of pages 17/18, a little light foxing; J. Sowerby, London, 1793-94. First edition. *Comprising Nos. I-III of the original work, except for the half-title and title-pages; lacking Part IV (pp. 39-54 and plates 13-16). Accompanied by loose facsimiles of all 16 plates, plus a facsimile of Part IV (text and plates) in sewn facsimile wrappers. James Edward Smith was an eminent botanist, and the founding President of the Linnean Society. 'George Shaw's Zoology of New Holland and James Edward Smith's A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland were initially published as a joint work in parts by J. Sowerby & Co. and first advertised in January 1793. After the second part was issued between September and November 1793 their contributions were separated and continued as independent works. When publication concluded . . . Smith's Botany comprised sixteen plates with descriptive letterpress, effectively issued in four parts, each with four plates' [Wantrup page 460]. Item #166349
Price: $30,000.00