Lot 8
  • 8

Herbarius

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Venice: Simon Bevilaqua, 14 December 1499
  • Paper
4to (207 x 153mm.), 172 leaves, A4; a-x8, 27 lines plus foliation, roman type, 4- and 6-line woodcut initials, 3-line initial spaces with printed guides, woodcut illustrations of plants, many woodcuts labelled in English (some in an early hand), later annotations (some in Greek), early nineteenth-century blind-tooled calf in period style, spine gilt in compartments, marbled edges, some deckle edges, in modern folding box, a few leaves slightly browned, a few fore-edges frayed towards end, binding somewhat worn, upper joint cracked

Literature

Goff H69; HC 1807; BMC v 524; BSB-Ink H-104; Bod-inc H-039; GW 12278; Klebs 506.11; Sander 612; Becher, Early Herbals 11; Cleveland Herbal 21; Nissen BBI 2308

Condition

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."

Catalogue Note

The author is named in the book as Arnoldus de Villa Nova, following a misunderstanding of the title woodcut in the earlier 1491 Vicenza edition, from which this edition is reprinted. It had its origin in Peter Schoeffer's herbal of 1484, which was translated into many languages (but not English), and describes the appearance and medicinal qualities of 150 plants local to Germany. The shorter second section describes medicinal products widely available from apothecaries.

Provenance
John Blaymer (?), early inscription at head of title-page, and an inscription on A1 recording the gift from John Blaimer to Lionel Aglionby; Christopher Aglionby, inscription on a1; Ferdinando Huddleston, inscription on title-page dated 1668; early scribbles in English on title-page and final blank leaf; (by family descent to) Ralph William Grey, Backworth (Northumberland), armorial bookplate; John Postle Heseltine (1843-1929), bookplate, and pencil note "bought of Parsons 1875"; pencil note by Bernard Quaritch Ltd at end, dated 23.3.21

Ferdinando Huddleston (of Cumbria) later married Jane Grey of Chillingham, Northumberland.