Beschreibung:

LAMBERT, AYLMER BOURKE. A Description of the Genus Pinus, illustrated with figures, directions relative to the cultivation, and remarks on the uses of the several species. London: Printed for J. White by T. Bensley 1803-1807. Large folio, 577 x 445 mm., contemporary russia, elaborate gilt and blind panel borders, with gryphon, lyre and other ornaments, g.e., by STAGGEMEIER, with his ticket, rebacked with most of original backstrip laid down, some browning and mottling of plates and text, mostly towards the front and not affecting brilliance of color. FIRST EDITION, ONE OF 25 COLORED COPIES, with coloring by William Hooker. 47 engraved plates by Mackenzie after Ferdinand Bauer (one each after Franz Bauer and Georg Dionysius Ehret three after James Sowerby , 43 of them fully hand-colored, one (no. 10) partly colored and 3 (nos. 12, 33 and 35) uncolored, plates numbered 1-43 with nos. 21, 34, 37 and 38 bis plates, text pastedown explanations at foot of pages 96 and 98. The first great iconography of conifers, containing some of Ferdinand Bauer's finest work. This first volume was issued in three stages: September 1803, October 1806 and December 1807. Copies vary, according to Stafleu & Cowan, and often do not contain the material published in 1806 and 1807. A second volume was issued in 1824. Goethe was thrilled by the sight of these magnificent plates as he repeatedly leafed through the Royal Library copy at Weimar ("Nature is visible, Art concealed" [Blunt]). Great Flower Books , p. 64; Henrey 920; Nissen BBI 1123; Stafleu & Cowan TL2 4145. Provenance : Kenneth Mackenzie; The Horticultural Society of New York, bookplate, inkstamp on front flyleaf -- Robert de Belder (sale, Sotheby's London, 28 April 1987, lot 199).