A method of producing double flowers from single, by a regular course of culture
[HILL, JOHN]
Published by R. Baldwin, London, 1758
Used
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B & L Rootenberg Rare Books, ABAA, Sherman Oaks, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
AbeBooks Seller since September 29, 1998
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Description:
With 8 large folding engraved plates. Directions to the binder on lower edge of the last leaf verso. Nicely bound in blue boards; although some of the plates have marginal browning, the actual figures of flowers are bright with excellent impressions, title with small brown spots on the lower margin by the imprint, still an excellent copy. First edition of this extremely rare and little known work on tulips by Hill. He here gives a detailed account of understanding the process of nature, as well as directions on how to double the flowers of many plants, notably choosing the tulip because the parts are large and plain. The last plate is on the Veronica (Speedwell). Hill (1716?-1775), though best known for his botanical works with which he introduced the classification system of Linnaeus into England, was certainly one of the most controversial figures in eighteenth-century England. He styled himself "Sir John" after he was awarded the Order of Vasa by the King of Sweden in recognition of his book entitled Vegetable system. He was an apothecary, actor, playwright, botanist and a voluminous writer. His works include publications on medicine, zoology and mineralogy, but the majority were concerned with plant life and his extensive use of the microscope. He is also remembered for his frequent satirical attacks on his contemporaries and his reputation for lying. For a remarkable and detailed description of Hill, see F. W. Oliver, editor, Makers of British Botany, pp. 84-107. OCLC records only 2 copies, both at the British Library. Henrey, II, p. 644 and DNB, IX, p. 851 cite this work and Nissen, BBI, 886 and Pritzel, 4067 show a later date and a different title. We also located copies at Cambridge, Oxford, York, the Natural History Museum, the National Library of Scotland and the Huntington Library. Seller Inventory # 14470
Bibliographic Details
Title: A method of producing double flowers from ...
Publisher: R. Baldwin, London
Publication Date: 1758
Edition: FIRST. EXTREMELY RARE.
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A Method of Producing Double Flowers from Single, by a Regular Course of Culture.
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London: Printed for R. Baldwin, 1758, 1758
Used
First Edition
Seller: Peter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB., London, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
First edition of this horticultural work by the botanist who helped introduced Linnaean taxonomy into England. It is illustrated with eight plates depicting a range of tulips and veronicas, depicted with "considerable artistic and technical ability" (Olivier, p. 101). John Hill (c.1714-1775) trained as an apothecary, during which he attended lectures at the Chelsea Physic Garden. He later worked as a gardener at Kensington Palace and managed the collection of the Duke of Richmond, who enabled him to travel extensively in pursuit of new acquisitions. He applied this experience in numerous botanical publications, producing such major works as the British Herbal (1756). Hill not only helped popularize Linnaean taxonomy, he also made some influential alterations to it: "although he highly appreciated the work of Linnaeus he disliked his system of classification on account of its artificiality. many of his minor differences have been warranted. For instance, Linnaeus merged the genera Valeria-nella and Linaria into those of Valeriana and Antirrhinum respectively; Hill however recognized the generic rank of the two former" (Olivier, pp. 103-4). For Henrey, Hill's work spurred the botanical world to retain much pre-Linnaean terminology. The Method shows Hill bringing a more scientifically informed approach to horticulture than was common at the time: for many years he was a loyal participant at the Royal Society's meetings and an acquaintance of Folkes, Sloane, and Watson. While well represented institutionally, the Method is uncommon in commerce: we trace no other copies. ESTC T39310; Henrey II, p. 644. Not in Stafleu & Cowan or Cleveland. F. W. Olivier, Makers of British Botany, 1913. Octavo (194 x 123 mm), pp. 40. Bound without half-title. With 8 folding engraved plates, wood-engraved initial and headpiece. Recent blue boards, grey paper backstrip with label printed in black, edges sprinkled red. With 3 discreetly repaired short closed tears to title page, a few brown spots and small worm holes to same and subsequent two leaves (just touching text, sense fully recoverable), final leaf trimmed close at foot, contents lightly damp stained in places, plate impressions strong and unfaded: a very good copy. Seller Inventory # 182738
Quantity: 1 available