Beschreibung:

ELWES, Henry John (1846-1922) and Augustine HENRY. The Trees of Great Britain and Ireland . Edinburgh: privately printed, 1906-1913. First edition of Elwes and Henry’s comprehensive work recording every species of tree grown outdoors in Great Britain and Ireland at the time of publication. Its 7 volumes feature contemporary photographs of trees, not only in the United Kingdom, but also in landscapes across the world from Canada to Syria, from China and Chile. Most of these were recorded in person, reflecting the authors’ dedication to representing each genus with the finest examples. The work is also known for its use of a new system of plant identification devised by Henry for the publication. It remains an important botanical resource to date and Henry is often credited with significantly increasing the understanding of the flora and fauna of China, previously little-known among botanists in the British Isles. 'The wealth of beautiful trees and flowering shrubs which adorn gardens in all temperate parts of the world today is due in a great measure to the pioneer work of the late Professor Henry' (J.W. Besant, 'Plantae Henryanae', Gard. Chron. 98, 9 Nov 1935: 334–335). Nissen BBI 595. 8 volumes, including index, quarto (310 x 250mm). Coloured lithographic frontispieces in vols. I-V, frontispiece portraits of the authors in vol. VI, 7 titles printed in colours with decorative borders, 414 plates, complete with 58a in vol. I and 293a in vol. V (some light scattered spotting mainly confined to endpapers and opening leaves of a few vols, but affecting title of vol. V more heavily, a few plates at end of vol. VII with light marginal spotting). Contemporary uniform burgundy half morocco by R.H. Porter, gilt spines, top edges gilt (tiny nick to spine of vol. II, otherwise a fine set). Provenance : Frederick du Cane Godman (bookplates).