The Book of Botanical Prints: The Complete Plates

Large hardcover (Folio), no dust jacket - full red plastic cloth over boards with black lettering stamped on spine and front. Sewn binding. 444 pages, with color illustrations, bibliography, and index. Folio reprint (2007) by Barnes & Noble of the 1st English Edition (Octavo, 2000) published by Taschen Benedikt Taschen Verlag GmbH, Cologne, Germany. This is the 2nd printing, and is missing the dust jacket. Introduction by Klaus Walter Littger and botanical annotations by Werner Dressendorfer. Heavy book (2.5 kg). CONDITION: NEAR FINE, binding square and tight, pages bright and unmarked; back surface rubbed, fore edges faintly dented, else FINE. CONTENT: Basilius Besler’s complete Hortus Eystettensis of 1613 is a magnificent pictorial document of the flowers grown in the greatest German garden of its time, in Eichstätt, Bavaria, Germany. This edition is based on the 367 copperplate engravings by Basilius Besler (1561–1629) in the original 3-volume first edition of the Hortus Eystellensis. The meticulous illustrations are organized according to the four seasons, and, following the classification system used today, show plants belonging to a total of 90 families and covering 340 genera. The whole collection is regarded as one of the finest treasures of botanical literature; it was described by Carl Linnaeus, the legendary 18th-century botanist and zoologist, as an “incomparable work.” This folio edition showcases these beautiful engravings in large size (10x13”) and full color. >Guaranteed secure packaging, free tracking, and no-hassle return policy.…