Floraâ s Dictionary. Baltimore: Fielding Lucas

Wirt, Elizabeth Washington Gamble

Published by 1840-55, 1840

About this Item

4to. Hand-colored lithographic pictorial title-page, letterpress title-page, dedication leaf, 12 hand-colored lithographic plates after Ann Smith, tissue-guards; some spotting and foxing (especially to tissue-guards) but plates generally good. Publisherâ s brown morocco, spine gilt in six compartments, covers ruled in gilt, upper cover with elaborate gilt decoration; some wear.A finely colored copy of this popular 19th-century American flower book, in the fine publisherâ s binding. Later editions, such as the present one, identified the author as â Mrs. E. W. Wirt of Virginiaâ .The various editions show a wide variation in the number of plates required.The main section of text of Floraâ s Dictionary is made up of about 230 entries arranged alphabetically from Acacia Rose (friendship) to Zinnia (absence).Each entry includes a brief definition (Laburnum: pensive beauty; Ranunculus: I am dazzled by your charms, etc.), followed by a selection of appropriate verses, from both the classics and contemporary verses. The next two sections deal with botanical aspects of the flowers, but also include the derivation of the name and the Linnaean classification of each flower. This is followed by a calendar with the appropriate flower for every day of the year. Finally, there is an index of sentiments arranged alphabetically with the appropriate flowers.Elizabeth Washington Gamble (1784-1857) , the author of the present work, was the daughter of Robert and Catherine Gamble of Richmond, Virginia. She became the second wife of William Wirt, Attorney General of the United States and author of The Letters of the British Spy and other popular works.This copy of Floraâ s Dictionary is from the library of New York collector Herbert Rivington â Rivâ Pyne. His attractive bookplate was designed by A. N. Macdonald.References: Bennett p. 115; McGrath (1837 ed,), p. 36; Reese Stampd with the National Character (1837 ed.) 52; Sabin 104868Provenance: Herbert Rivington Pyne (armorial bookplate).

Seller Inventory # 55

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Floraâ s Dictionary. Baltimore: Fielding Lucas
• Publisher: 1840-55
• Publication Date: 1840
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Wirt, Mrs. E. W.
• Condition: Very good