J.C. Hoffmansegg and H.F. Link | Flore portugaise, 1809-1820 [-1840], 2 volumes

Johann Centurius Hoffmansegg and Heinrich Friedrich Link

Flore portugaise ou description de toutes les plantes qui croissent naturellement en Portugal. Berlin: Charles-Fredéric Amelang, 1809-1820 [-1840]

2 volumes, folio (528 x 344 mm.), dedication, letterpress half-titles, 3 uncoloured "planches d'instruction", 111 stipple-engraved colour plates, hand-finished by F. W. Bollinger, A. Clar, F. W. Meyer, P. Haas, and others after Hoffmannsegg and G. W. Voelker, numbered 1-109 plus 90b and 108b, Volume 1 in 19th-century tree calf, gilt palmette roll-tooled border, gilt spine with two morocco labels, marbled endpapers, Volume 2 in 19th-century half speckled calf, gilt spine with two morocco labels, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, scattered spotting, dampstaining affecting some leaves in Volume 2, extremities bumped

Dunthorne and other principal bibliographies note that Plates 20 and 22 are coloured lithographs, but here they appear to be stipple engravings (signed "grave par F. W. Bollinger"). The palmette border (Volume I) is also used by Staggemeier and Welcher.

LITERATURE:

Dunthorne 136; Great Flower Books, p. 59; Nissen BBI 901; Stafleu TL2 2911

PROVENANCE:

Probably Francis I of Austria (died 1835), F1 stamp; Habsburg Fideikommiss-Bibliothek, Vienna, "FID. C" stamp; [to National Library of Vienna in 1921]; National Library of Vienna sold duplicate stamp dated

15.1.1949; Christie's, London, 30 April 1997, unsold lot 36