[NATURAL HISTORY]. SIBTHORP, John (1758-1796) and Sir James Edward SMITH (1759-1828). Flora Graeca sive plantarum rariorum historia. London: Richard Taylor, 1806-1813.

2 volumes only (of 10), folio (476 x 330 mm). 2 fine hand-colored engraved additional titles with vignettes (depicting Mount Parnassus and Mount Athos respectively), 150 hand-colored plates. (Occasional light browning, some offsetting from text.) Contemporary half diced calf gilt, marbled boards, speckled edges (covers detached but present, fore-corners rubbed).

FIRST EDITION of “one of the rarest and most beautiful in both plates and typography of all botanical works” (Sitwell). This monumental publication, initiated after Sibthorp's expeditions to Greece and Asia Minor in the late 18th century, documents rare and previously unknown plant species from the region. The work is noted for its highly detailed and vivid illustrations, most of which were crafted by Ferdinand Bauer, a renowned botanical artist. Sibthorp’s ambition was to produce a comprehensive catalogue of the region’s flora, though Sibthorp himself passed away before its completion. Sibthorp bequeathed his estate to the University of Oxford for the publication of the Flora Graeca and Smith was appointed to prepare the author's notes for publication. Due to the enormous cost of the work, only 30 subscribers were attracted and of these only 25 completed their subscription, each paying £254 for the complete work, which ran to 10 volumes. The London bookseller and publisher H.G. Bohn took over the remainder stock and plates sometime after 1840 and issued a further 40 sets. Apart from later watermarks on some of the plates that were re-struck, there is, according to Stearn, very little difference between the issues. Watermarks: volume 1, text: J. Whatman 1801 and 1805; plates: no maker 1794, I. Taylor (dates trimmed), J. Whatman 1801, J. Ruse 1802; volume 2, text: Edmeads & Co. 1809; plates: J. Ruse 1802, Ruse & Turners 1806, Russell & co. 1810. Not in Blackmer; Great Flower Books, p.76; Henry 1319; Nissen BBI 1840; Stafleu TL2 11.935; Stearn, W.T., Taxon, 16, pp.168-178.

Property from the Estate of Peter Fortsas

[NATURAL HISTORY]. SIBTHORP, John (1758-1796) and Sir James Edward SMITH (1759-1828). Flora Graeca sive plantarum rariorum historia. London: Richard Taylor, 1806-1813.