Jean-Pierre Bergeret | Phytonomatotechnie universelle. Paris, 1783-1784, 2 volumes, folio, modern marbled boards

Jean-Pierre Bergeret

Phytonomatotechnie universelle, c'est-a-dire, L'art de donner aux plante des noms tirés de leurs caractères. Paris: the author, Didot, Poisson, 1783-1784

Volumes 1 and 2 (of 3), folio (428 x 268 mm.), half titles, 241 engraved plates, folding table in volume 1, modern marbled boards, gilt calf labels to spines, leaves uncut, slight worming at inner margin of volume 1, occasional slight spotting

RARE. The 1783 prospectus announced the publication of 100 coloured copies and 100 uncoloured, but there were probably far fewer copies produced. Bergeret's system of nomenclature used the characteristics of each plant to produce a name composed of code letters from each of those characteristics; while a logical approach to classification, the resulting names were not pronounceable and the system was never employed. The work was originally issued in parts and the third volume was printed in 1786. The plates depict numerous mushrooms, lichens and bryophytes, as well as flowering plants. The plants he describes are also recorded under their Linnaean names

LITERATURE:

Great Flower Books, p. 50; Nissen BBI 145; Stafleu TL2 456