The North American Sylva; Or, A Description of the Forest Trees of the United States, Canada, and Nova Scotia... Author: Michaux, F[rancois] Andre & Thomas Nuttall Place: Philadelphia Publisher: D. Rice & A.N. Hart Date: 1857 Description: 5 volumes. 184; 180; 180; 207; 215 pp. Illustrated with 276 hand-finished color plates, including 156 continuously numbered engravings in the Michaux volumes and 121 lithographs in the Nuttall volumes; tissue guards. (8vo) 26.7x17.5 cm (10½x6¾"), brown morocco stamped in brown and titled in gilt on spine, all edges gilt. Beautiful edition of this important work on North American botany, which first appeared in Paris, 1810-1813. "It is no exaggeration to remark that it is the most complete work of its kind, and is a production of unrivalled interest and beauty" (Sabin). Michaux visited America under the auspices of the French government and was appointed to accompany a youthful Meriwether Lewis on an expedition, though probably owing to political sensitivity before the Louisiana Purchase, the expedition did not take place. His work was continued and completed by the British botanist, Thomas Nuttall, who was one of the most lovable characters in the history of early American science. Nuttall set out on extensive excursions into the West and Hawaiian Islands. He is said to have discovered more new genera and species of plants in North America than any other single scientist with the possible exception of his young contemporary, Asa Gray. The beautiful plates in the Michaux volumes, according to the translator's preface, were printed from the original French copperplates. The lithographs in the Nuttall volumes are numbered through 121, but the numbering skips plates 30 & 31 (also skipped in text) and two plates each are numbered "5" and "10". Bennett p.76; Reese 21; Sabin 18695, 56351. Lot Amendments Condition: Morocco somewhat scuffed and rubbed, spine ends chipped; one volume with split front hinge and spine coming away from binding, some interior cracking of binding, foxing, a few dampstains the edges of text and plates, altogether very good. Item number: 345383
The North American Sylva; Or, A Description of the Forest Trees of the United States, Canada, and Nova Scotia... Author: Michaux, F[rancois] Andre & Thomas Nuttall Place: Philadelphia Publisher: D. Rice & A.N. Hart Date: 1857 Description: 5 volumes. 184; 180; 180; 207; 215 pp. Illustrated with 276 hand-finished color plates, including 156 continuously numbered engravings in the Michaux volumes and 121 lithographs in the Nuttall volumes; tissue guards. (8vo) 26.7x17.5 cm (10½x6¾"), brown morocco stamped in brown and titled in gilt on spine, all edges gilt. Beautiful edition of this important work on North American botany, which first appeared in Paris, 1810-1813. "It is no exaggeration to remark that it is the most complete work of its kind, and is a production of unrivalled interest and beauty" (Sabin). Michaux visited America under the auspices of the French government and was appointed to accompany a youthful Meriwether Lewis on an expedition, though probably owing to political sensitivity before the Louisiana Purchase, the expedition did not take place. His work was continued and completed by the British botanist, Thomas Nuttall, who was one of the most lovable characters in the history of early American science. Nuttall set out on extensive excursions into the West and Hawaiian Islands. He is said to have discovered more new genera and species of plants in North America than any other single scientist with the possible exception of his young contemporary, Asa Gray. The beautiful plates in the Michaux volumes, according to the translator's preface, were printed from the original French copperplates. The lithographs in the Nuttall volumes are numbered through 121, but the numbering skips plates 30 & 31 (also skipped in text) and two plates each are numbered "5" and "10". Bennett p.76; Reese 21; Sabin 18695, 56351. Lot Amendments Condition: Morocco somewhat scuffed and rubbed, spine ends chipped; one volume with split front hinge and spine coming away from binding, some interior cracking of binding, foxing, a few dampstains the edges of text and plates, altogether very good. Item number: 345383
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
