TOURNEFORT, Joseph Pitton. Institutiones Rei Herbariae
Paris, E Typographia Regia, 1700.
£1,500
FIRST EDITION. 4to, 2 volumes (of 3). First vol. containing text; second vol. containing 250 stunning botanical plates. Roman and Italic letter, sporadic Greek. Vignette on t-p of first vol. and autograph of early owner, second vol. with engraved title; beautiful engraved headpieces, and historiated and floriated initials. Bookplate of “Philip Carteret, Esq.”, of the Royal Navy, on left pastedowns. Fore-edge sprinkled in red, bound in mottled brown calf over thick boards; covers blind-ruled along edges with double fillet, central panels with outer angular fleurons. Gilt cover edges. Six decorated compartments divided by raised bands to gilt spine with title on red morocco label. Overall in excellent condition, text fresh, clean and crisp. Very clean engraved plates, without staining.
Nissen, BBI 1977. Pritzel 9427. Graesse VII, 180.