VENDU
8 volumes 4to (290 x 210 mm) 4 nn.ll., VIIIpp., quires 1-72 with explanatory text and 72 engraved and colored plates, 2 nn.ll. (index) for volume I ; 4 nn.ll., 2 nn.ll. (table), quires 73-142 with explanatory text and plates 73-142 engraved and colored for volume II ; 4 nn.ll., quires 143-212 with explanatory text and plates 143-212 (numbering of quires 171-172 repeated with different text and plates,; and the additional plate 199bis) engraved and colored for volume III ; 6 nn.ll., quires 213-290 with explanatory text and plates 213-290 engraved and coloured for volume IV ; 6 nn.ll., quires 291-368 with explanatory text and plates 291-368 engraved and coloured for volume V ; 6 nn.ll., quires 369-446 with explanatory text and plates 369-446 engraved and coloured for volume VI ; 6 nn.ll., quires 447-506 with explanatory text and plates 447-507 engraved and coloured for volume VII ; 10 nn.ll., quires 507-572 with explanatory text and plates 507-572 engraved and coloured, 8 pp. of list of subscribers for volume VIII. Contemporary calf gilt by Bibolet, covers paneled with borders tooled in black, gilt, and blind, spines gilt with black labels, gilt edges ( some light wear, some hinges slightly split).
1 in stock
Nissen, BBI, 2323 & Sitwell, p. 159 (erroneously mentioning that quire 384 was not published) ; Stafleu-Cowan, 4952 ; see Dunthorne, 32 (for Herbier de l’amateur, Bruxelles edition 1828-1835).
First edition. Large paper copy, complete with the 575 plates required (572, as well as two quires numbered in duplicate 171-172 with 2 plates, and plate 199bis). Nissen and Sitwell indicate that quire 384 would not have been published; it is present here in double quire 383/384. The other double quires are: 79/80: 100/101; 140/141; 177-180; 366-368; 413-415; 435-437; 515-516.
Published over a period of 13 years in a total of 96 issues, the first 11 contain texts by Mordant de Launay (1750-1816), the remainder was edited by Jean Louis Auguste Loiseleur-Deslonghamps (1774-1849).
The beautiful plates, drawn by Pancrace Bessa, Pierre Joseph Redouté and Pierre Antoine Poiteau, were engraved by Pierre François Barrois, Séraphin Goulet, Antoine François Dennel, Bigant, Lejeune and other artists.
The work is dedicated to the king, and the author indicates in his preface that it was written to be included in "the library of the scholar, the man of taste, in the cabinet of the amateur, and in the studio of the artist". This is followed by a long note on the botanical works published in Europe, in which the author stresses the superior quality of the coloured engravings included in this luxurious production: "This advantage, which the Herbier de l'Amateur has over the other works with figures that preceded it, comes from the fact that the printing of the plates, instead of being done in colour, is done in grey, which makes it possible to employ, in illuminating, a truth of tone and colour that is not supported by colour printing".
The botanist and artist goes on to praise the usefulness of this fine publication for "artists and manufacturers in certain genres, such as decorative painters, manufacturers of porcelain, earthenware, painted canvas, wallpaper, embroiderers, etc.".
A very fine copy, despite a few slightly browned plates in volume VI and a few slightly spotted text leaves.
Complete copies in uniform binding are very rare.
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