Beschreibung:

Denis Dodart
Memoires pour servir a l'histoire de plantes. Paris: (Sebastien Mabre-Cramoisy), de l’Imprimerie royale, 1676
FIRST EDITION, broadsheets (557 x 405mm.), engraved frontispiece of the Académie Royale des Sciences by and after Sebastien Le Clerc and printed by Goyton, printed title with armorial vignette, engraved head- and tailpiece, engraved initial, 39 very fine full-sheet engraved plates (unnumbered) after Nicolas Robert by Robert (28) and Abraham Bosse (11), CONTEMPORARY FRENCH RED MOROCCO WITH THE ARMS OF LOUIS XIV (Olivier 2494 fer 10) within wide matching foliate borders, spine gilt in seven compartments with crowned monograms
A FINE COPY of the first publication of these fine plates by Nicolas Robert perhaps the finest botanical engravings ever produced and “one of the great books in the history of botanical illustration, where all the technical resources of engraving were utilized in presenting the plants as accurately as possible” (Hunt). This is one of the first publications of the Académie des sciences, and is a monument to the typographic, artistic and scientific skills assembled under the aegis of the Academy by Louis XIV’s far-sighted and energetic minister Jean-Baptiste Colbert. The engraved frontispiece shows a meeting of the Academy in the Royal Library at Versailles, with Louis XIV and Colbert present. It is the first illustration of the meeting of any learned society.
This volume was a prospectus for the great Histoire des plantes, which was never formally published.
LITERATURE: An Oak Spring Flora, p. 168; Hunt 343; Nissen BBI 502Condition reportGood condition
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."