Redouté, Pierre Joseph and C.L. Thory

3 volumes bound in one, folio (345 x 250mm.), half-titles, engraved portrait of the author by C.S. Pradier after Gerard, frontispiece and 169 stipple-engraved plates printed in colours and finished by hand by Bessin, Langlois, Chapuy and others after Redouté, contemporary red morocco gilt, gilt edges, [Nissen BBI 1599; Great Flower Books, p.71; Dunthorne 232; Stafleu TL2 8748; Hunt, Redouteana 19], occasional spotting, one or two imprints shaved, spine neatly repaired

Freiin Olga Sturmfeder von Oppenweiler, armorial bookplate

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Les Roses is perhaps the most celebrated of flower books. "The technical execution of its production was... near perfect. The artistic quality of the plates is high, and there is no reason to mark it any lower than one would Les Liliacées and the Jardin de la Malmaison" (Stafleu). Like Les Liliacées, Redoute's Roses bears testament to the influence of his patron Josephine Bonaparte, even though she did not live to see the book published. Redouté started painting roses at Malmaison, and, as Stafleu notes, "in many respects the plates are Josephine's roses".