Beschreibung:

REA, John (d.1681). Flora: Seu, de Florum Cultura. Or, a Complete Florilege. London: J.G. for Richard Marriott, 1665.
REA, John (d.1681). Flora: Seu, de Florum Cultura. Or, a Complete Florilege. London: J.G. for Richard Marriott, 1665. 2 o (275 x 181 mm). Title printed in red and black, additional engraved title with accompanying printed leaf "The Mind of the Front," 8 engraved plates of flowerbeds with 16 numbered illustrations (illustration number 7 shaved, occasional some minor staining). Contemporary blind-ruled calf, gilt-lettered red morocco spine label (light wear to spine ends, rubbing to edges). FIRST EDITION of one of the most important gardening books to be published in England during the second half of the seventeenth century. John Rea had reputedly the largest collection of tulips in England in his garden at Kinlet in Shropshire. His Flora contains descriptions of hundreds of flowering plants. "Each of the three books that make up Flora is dedicated to one of the three goddesses who appear together on the title-page. The first book, offered to Flora herself, describes how to construct a garden, recommends which trees, shrubs and flowers to plant, and explains various gardening techniques. The second, dedicated to the harvest goddess Ceres, describes the cultivation of various annuals and biennials, while the third, offered to Pomona, the goddess of tree-fruits, invites the reader 'to Banquet of the best Garden-Fruits our cold Northern Country will afford.'" (Tomasi). Henrey 325; Oak Spring Flora 31; Wing R-421.