Henry Andrews | The botanist's repository, London, 1797 [-1812], 10 volumes, green armorial morocco gilt

Henry Cranke Andrews

The botanist's repository, for new and rare plants, containing coloured figures of such plants, as have not hitherto appeared in any similar publication... botanically arranged after the sexual system of the celebrated Linnaeus. London: T. Bensley for the author, 1797[-1812]

10 volumes, 4to (267 x 201mm.), letterpress title-page in volume 1, lithographed title-page in all volumes, 664 hand-coloured engraved plates (64 folding), index leaf at back of each volume, volumes 5 and 10 with additional cumulative index, contemporary green morocco gilt with the arms of the Earl of Darnley, flat spines gilt, gilt edges, a few plates slightly shaved (mostly affecting plate number), plate 599 with small tear at fold, occasional light offsetting from colouring, very occasional light foxing, a few small scrapes or bumps to bindings

A magnificent collection of colour plates of newly identified plants, issued in parts over about fifteen years. Andrews' father-in-law was a nurseryman who helped supply specimens for illustration. A fair proportion

of the plants included are from South Africa and Australia, including a number of proteas and ixias, as well as waterlilies and magnolias and many other species that are commonly found in our gardens today.

LITERATURE:

Dunthorne 8, Nissen BBI 2382; Great Flower Books, p. 83; Stafleu TL2 135

PROVENANCE:

John Bligh, 4th Earl of Darnley (1767–1831), arms on binding; thence to his wife Elizabeth Bligh, née Brownlow; thence their daughter Lady Elizabeth Bligh (d.1872), inscription in volume 10, "Eliz^th Brownlow, 1843. These books were purchased by me having been the property of my mother" (the younger Elizabeth married her first cousin, Rev. John Brownlow)