William Curtis | The Botanical Magazine [with Index and Companion], London, 1793-1948, 130 vols, green morocco gilt

William Curtis

The botanical magazine; or, flower-garden displayed. London: Stephen Couchman [later vols: Bernard Quaritch], 1793-1948

127 volumes, 8vo (224 x 137mm.), volumes numbered 1-69, 71-88, 95, 97-105, 108-122, 127-131, 147, 156-163, plus 2 "Companion" volumes (dated 1835-1836) and General Index volume (dated 1828), hand-coloured plates, contemporary green straight-grained morocco gilt, later volumes bound by C. Fox, spines with raised bands in five compartments, edges gilt, marbled endpapers, some spotting, spines of early volumes sunned

"The oldest current scientific periodical of its kind with coloured illustrations in the world...in the beauty of production and high standard of its contributions it can claim a unique place" (P. Synge, Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society, 73 (1948). This substantial collection is notable not only for the longevity of the periodical, but for the detail of its descriptions and drawings, featuring work by leading botanical illustrators.

LITERATURE:

The Cleveland Herbal 577; De Belder sale 88; Henrey 472; Hunt 689; Nissen BBI 2350; Stafleu TL2 1290

PROVENANCE:

Haverland, armorial bookplates