Lot 12
  • 12

Curtis, William

Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • The Botanical Magazine; or, Flower-Garden Displayed. London: Sherwood, Neely, & Jones, 1811-1848
  • paper, ink, leather
Letterpress title-pages and indices, including the general index to vols. 1–42 bound in vol. 42,  the general index to vols. 54–63 in vol. 63, Companion to the Botanical Magazine in vols. 71 and 74, and general index to vols. 71–74 in vol. 74, engraved portrait of William Curtis in vol. 42. Illustration: approximately 3008 engraved plates, many folding (numbered 1367–4416).

Volumes 33–74, bound in 42 volumes, 8vo (9 3/8 x 6 in.; 238 x 151 mm). Binding: Green morocco by Stikeman, marbled boards and endpapers, spines gilt in six compartments, top edges. Provenance: Henry W. Poor (banker, stockbroker, and book collector; armorial leather booklabel) — Helen and Carleton R. Richmond (bookplate).



Occasional spotting and toning, some minor offsetting (primarily from plates to text), engraved portrait in vol. 42 lightly foxed. Occasional minor wear to extremities of bindings, spines very lightly sunned, a few corners bumped, small circular loss to back board of vols. 44 & 58. 

Literature

Cleveland Collections 577; De Belder sale 88; Great Flower Books, pp. 156–157; Henrey 472; Hunt 689; Nissen 2350; Plesch sale 164 Stafleu & Cowan TL2 1290

Condition

Occasional spotting and toning, some minor offsetting (primarily from plates to text), engraved portrait in vol. 42 lightly foxed. Occasional minor wear to extremities of bindings, spines very lightly sunned, a few corners bumped, small circular loss to back board of vols. 44 & 58.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

One of the most important and finely illustrated botanical periodicals.

The current run is primarily composed of the second series of this popular magazine. Following Curtis's death in 1799, his friend John Sims assumed the editorship from 1801 to 1826, followed by William Jackson Hooker in 1827. These issues include the work of distinguished botanical artists such as Sydenham Edwards, James Sowerby, John Curtis, William Hooker, Walter Hood Fitch, Matilda Smith, Lilian Snelling, and Stella Ross-Craig, among others. The magazine continued throughout the twentieth century, and it still flourishes today under a different title.