Beschreibung:

CURTIS, William (1746-1799). Flora Londinensis: or Plates and Descriptions of such plants as grow wild in the Environs of London . London: for the author and B. White, [1775]-1777-1798.
CURTIS, William (1746-1799). Flora Londinensis: or Plates and Descriptions of such plants as grow wild in the Environs of London . London: for the author and B. White, [1775]-1777-1798. 6 volumes of 6 fascicules, 2° (498 x 302 mm). Engraved vignette on title-page, 432 hand-colored plates after Sydenham Edwards, William Kilburn James Sowerby and others. (Lacking dedication, subscriber’s list, and “A Catalogue of Certain Plants” in vol. I, some occasional minor spotting, some occasional marginal worming.) Early 19th-century half calf over marbled boards, edges uncut (worn). FIRST EDITION , second issue title. The first five fascicules of Flora Londoniensis were published, with the support of Lord Bute, over 12 years. Wilfrid Blunt notes that "by 1787, the results of [Curtis's] labours were two splendid folio volumes and a deficit which made the continuance of his venture impossible" ( The Art of Botanical Illustration , Woodbridge: 1994, p. 212). Starting in 1787, there began a gap of at least three years in publication, during which time Curtis launched the Botanical Magazine to raise funds, before the Flora Londiniensis could resume publication. '"One brought me pudding," said Curtis, "the other praise"' (John Gilmour, British Botanists , 1944). Cleveland Collections 532; Henrey 595; Hunt 650; Nissen BBI 440; Stafleu-Cowan TL2 1286.