BRITISH GRASSES -- John Leonard KNAPP (1767-1845). Manuscript botanical album, titled One Hundred Original Drawings of British Grasses [ca. 1800, watermarked 1797]. 4° (227 x 180mm). Manuscript title, 101 ORIGINAL PEN, INK AND WATERCOLOUR DRAWINGS by Knapp, each specimen identified by its Linnean name, some specimens additionally identified by their English names. Two subjects on two joined sheets, one folded, four subjects with small mounted sections bearing amended or additional drawings. (Some very light soiling.) Contemporary green morocco gilt, g.e. (extremities and spine a trifle rubbed). The original drawings for the majority of the specimens figured in Knapp's rare work Gramina Britannica, or Representations of the British Grasses, with Remarks and occasional Descriptions, (4°, London: Bensley, 1804 with 118 plates engraved by J.Hibbert and P.Nodder). All but 100 copies of this first edition were destroyed in a fire at the printers; a second edition was published in 1842. The drawings show a high degree of technical ability and scientific knowledge, and are arranged to show the foliage, the flower heads and enlarged details of the flowers and seeds. Knapp was born in Buckinghamshire in 1767. After an abortive attempt at a Naval career, he served in both the Hereford and Northamptonshire militia, living principally at Powick near Worcester. From here he made summer excursions, including one to Scotland, which enabled him to collect the specimens figured in the present collection. He was essentially "a country gentleman imbued with a taste for natural history" (Proc. Linn. Soc. Lond. I:244-245. 1845). He became a member of the Linnean Society in 1796 and was also a member of the Society of Antiquaries.
BRITISH GRASSES -- John Leonard KNAPP (1767-1845). Manuscript botanical album, titled One Hundred Original Drawings of British Grasses [ca. 1800, watermarked 1797]. 4° (227 x 180mm). Manuscript title, 101 ORIGINAL PEN, INK AND WATERCOLOUR DRAWINGS by Knapp, each specimen identified by its Linnean name, some specimens additionally identified by their English names. Two subjects on two joined sheets, one folded, four subjects with small mounted sections bearing amended or additional drawings. (Some very light soiling.) Contemporary green morocco gilt, g.e. (extremities and spine a trifle rubbed). The original drawings for the majority of the specimens figured in Knapp's rare work Gramina Britannica, or Representations of the British Grasses, with Remarks and occasional Descriptions, (4°, London: Bensley, 1804 with 118 plates engraved by J.Hibbert and P.Nodder). All but 100 copies of this first edition were destroyed in a fire at the printers; a second edition was published in 1842. The drawings show a high degree of technical ability and scientific knowledge, and are arranged to show the foliage, the flower heads and enlarged details of the flowers and seeds. Knapp was born in Buckinghamshire in 1767. After an abortive attempt at a Naval career, he served in both the Hereford and Northamptonshire militia, living principally at Powick near Worcester. From here he made summer excursions, including one to Scotland, which enabled him to collect the specimens figured in the present collection. He was essentially "a country gentleman imbued with a taste for natural history" (Proc. Linn. Soc. Lond. I:244-245. 1845). He became a member of the Linnean Society in 1796 and was also a member of the Society of Antiquaries.
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