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Natural History / Botany (General)

Rare album of exotic flora & fauna

AA, Pieter van der (compiler). Icones arborum, fruticum et herbarum exoticarum quarundam a Rajo, Mentzelio, aliisque botanophilis quidem descriptarum, ast non delineatarum. Ut et animalium peregrinorum rarissimorum, tam volatilium, quam quadrupedum ac aquatilium, in extremis oris et desertis Indiarum et aliis locis repertorum.
Leiden, Pieter van der Aa, [ca. 1720]. Oblong 4to (22.5 x 27 cm). With an engraved, illustrated title-page, letterpress dedication and note to the reader (the latter with a woodcut decorated initial) and 80 etched and engraved plates (9 folding).Contemporary half calf, paste-paper sides, gold-tooled spine. engr. title-page + [2] pp. plus 80 plates. Full description
€ 18,000
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Comprehensive 12th-century Arabic treatise on agriculture

ABU ZAKARIYA ibn al-AWWAM. Libro de agricultura. ... Tomo I[-II].
Including:
BROECK, Victor van den. Catecismo de agricultura.
VILLE, Georges. Abonos químicos conferencias agrícolas.
Seville, Biblioteca Científico Literaria; Madrid, Victoriano Suarez (colophon: printed by Salvador Acuña y Comp., Seville), 1878. 2 volumes. Imperial 16mo (18 x 11.5 cm). Later half turquoise sheepskin. 512; 552 pp. Full description
€ 1,750
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The book that opened America

ACOSTA, José de. Historie naturael ende morael van de Westersche Indien.
Enkhuizen, Jacob Lenaertsz. Meyn (colophon: Haarlem, printed by Gillis Rooman), 1598. 8vo. With a woodcut decoration on the title-page. Vellum (ca. 1700?). [7], 398, [8] ll. Full description
€ 7,500
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Largest assembly of natural history illustrations published before the 18th century

ALDROVANDI (ALDOVANDUS), Ulisse. [Opera omnia].
Bologna, 1599-1668. 13 volumes. Folio (35 x 24 cm). With engraved title-page to each volume, engraved full-page portrait of Aldrovandi in 3 volumes and several thousand woodcut illustrations in text, mostly after designs by J. Ligozzi and many full-page. Blind-tooled vellum (ca. 1645 & ca. 1670), with a large centrepiece on each board (the 11 volumes dated 1599-1642 from a single block; the 2 volumes dated 1648 & 1667 from a different block), the spines uniformly gold-tooled in the 18th-century. Full description
€ 150,000
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Belon's account of his extensive travels in the Levant, with 44 woodcut illustrations

BELON, Pierre. Les observations de plusieurs singularitez et choses memorables, trouvées en Grece, Asie, Judée, Egypte, Arabie et autres pays estranges.
Paris, Guillaume Cavellat (colophon: printed by Benoist Prévost for Gilles Corozet, Guillaume Cavellat), 1555. 3 parts in 1 volume. 4to. With title in woodcut border with Cavellet's device and initials at the foot, each part-title with Cavellet's woodcut device, 1 folding woodcut map (31.5 x 35 cm) showing Mount Sinai, 44 woodcuts in the text (including a portrait of the author by Geoffroy Tory), and numerous fine decorated initials. Overlapping vellum (ca. 1600?). [12], 212, [1] ll. Full description
€ 12,500
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An expedition to the South African interior: "of great permanent worth",
together with a description of the Cape of Good Hope

[BRINK, Carel Frederik]. Nouvelle description du Cap de Bonne-Espérance, avec un Journal historique d'un voyage de terre, . . . , dans l'intérieur de l'Afrique. . . . Sous le commandement du Capitain Mr. Henri Hop, . . .
Amsterdam, J.H. Schneider, 1778. 2 parts in 1 volume. 8vo. Title-page with an engraved vignette by Christian Friedrich Fritzsch and 16 folding engraved plates. Olive half calf (ca. 1840), gold-tooled spine. [6], 130, [2], 100 pp. Full description
€ 3,950
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Extensive compendium on medicinal plants

CHOMEL, Pierre-Jean-Baptiste. Abregé de l'histoire des plantes usuelles, dans lequel on donne leurs noms différens, tant François que Latins.Including: Catalogus plantarum officinalium, secumdum earum facultates dispositus.
Paris, sons of Nyon, 1738. 3 volumes. 8vo. Contemporary tanned sheepskin, gold-tooled spines. XLVIII, [36], 350; [6], 349-830, [10]; [18], 214, [4], 116 pp. Full description
€ 400
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Scarce Dutch translation of a pamphlet on the mangel beet, with a hand-coloured folding plate

COMMERELL, Abbé de, John Coakley LETTSOM (transl.) and Jan Christiaan SEPP (transl.) Bericht wegens de aankweeking en het gebruik van den schaarsheid- of mangel-wortel.
Amsterdam, C.N. Guerin, 1789. 8vo. With 1 folding hand-coloured plate and a woodcut tailpiece of a fruit basket. 19th-century half cloth, Stormont marbled sides. [4], XII, 80 pp. Full description
€ 1,750
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Copiously illustrated, important botanical work on flowering plants from North-Africa

DESFONTAINES, René Louiche. Flora Atlantica, sive Historia plantarum, quae in Atlante, agro Tunetano et Algeriensi crescunt.
Paris, L. G. Desgranges, Imprimerie Panckoucke, 1798-1799 (anno sexto). 3 parts in 2 volumes. 4to. With "261" [=263] numbered, full-page, engraved plates. Late 19th-century black morocco. [6], XX, 444; 458 pp. Full description
€ 6,950
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Linnaean edition of the illustrated catalogue of Sherard's great botanical garden

DILLENIUS (DILLEN), Johann Jakob. Horti Elthamensis plantarum rariorum icones et nomina.
Leiden, Cornelis Haak, 1774. 2 volumes bound as 1. Folio. With 325 engraved plates, numbered 1-147, [1], 148-324. 4 plates misbound: 6/7 and 273/274. Contemporary boards. Preserved in a professionaly handmade box, made for this book. [12] pp. Full description
€ 12,000
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Definitive edition of a classic Dutch herbal

DODONAEUS (DODOENS), Rembertus. Cruydt-Boeck ...
Antwerp, Balthasar II Moretus in the Plantin printing office, 1644. Large folio (ca. 25 x 41 cm). With an integral, richly engraved title-page, with 1470 botanical woodcuts in the text, woodcut decorated initials, woodcut tailpiece with the Plantin compasses device at the end of the index and larger woodcut publishers device with the compasses and motto on the last, otherwise blank leaf. Set in textura types with extensive roman, italic and civilité. Contemporary gold- and blind-tooled calf over boards, with brass catch- and anchor-plates and one brass clasp. [1], [1 blank], [1], [1 blank], [32], 1492, [59], [1 blank] pp. Full description
€ 6,500
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Original drawing relating to an important work on Brazilian plants

[DRAWING - RIO DE JANEIRO]. [MARY, Benjamin (attributed)]. [Ink drawing of Guanabara Bay].
[Rio de Janeiro?, 1837?].
With: (2) [LEBSCHÉE, Carl August (attributed)]. [Drawing of Guanabara Bay].
[Germany?, 1837?].
Ad 1: 19 x 32 cm. Passe-partout: 36,5 x 47 cm. Sepia ink on paper. Ad 2: 24,5 x 34 cm. Passe-partout: 37 x 44 cm. Sepia ink on paper, with blue and sepia ink washes. Full description
€ 6,500
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The natural history, politics and medicine of India and Persia, with a section on Muscat

FRYER (FREYER), John. Negenjaarige reyse door Oostindien en Persien, ... Begonnen met den jaare 1672 en geeyndigt met den jaare 1681.
The Hague, Abraham de Hondt, Jacobus van Ellinkhuysen and Meyndert Uytwerf, 1700. 4to. With engraved frontispiece, engraved author's portrait, 3 folding engraved maps, 7 folding engraved views and other plates, and several woodcut illustrations in text. Contemporary vellum. [8], 566, [26] pp. Full description
€ 3,750
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The official printed record of the most important 19th-century exploratory expedition into Indochina

GARNIER, Francis. Voyage d'exploration en Indo-Chine effectué pendant les années 1866, 1867 et 1868 par une commission Française présidiée par M. le capitaine de frégate Doudart de Lagrée et publié dans les ordres du ministre de la marine sous la direction de M. le lieutenant de vaisseau Francis Garnier avec le concours de M. Delaporte, lieutenant de vaisseau et de MM. Joubert et Thorel, médécins de la marine, membres de la commission.
Paris, Librairie Hachette et Cie, 1873. 2 text volumes and 1 atlas volume in 2 parts. Large 4to text volumes, and folio atlas. With a lithographed portrait of Doudart de Lagrée, 53 full-page maps and views, and 157 illustrations in the text. The atlas with 69 lithographed maps, plans and views. Contemporary gold- and blind-tooled quarter red morocco, with the title lettered in gold on the spine, red cloth sides with blind tooled borders on the front and back, gilt edges, watered silk end papers. V, [3], 580, [4]; [6], 523, [5]; [6], XII pp. Full description
€ 50,000
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Second known copy of a 19th-century list for recording the yearly evolution of certain plants and flowers

GENOOTSCHAP VOOR LANDBOUW EN KRUIDKUNDE TE UTRECHT. Lijst der planten voor de jaarlijksche waarnemingen.
Including: Lijst der planten voor de dagelijksche waarnemingen der bloemen.
Utrecht, W.F. Schultze, 19th century [after 1841]. Large 4to (28.5 x 23.5 cm). Contemporary blue paper wrappers, stitched through 3 holes. [12] pp. Full description
€ 650
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Important work on the natural history of Palastine

HASSELQUIST, Friedrich and Carl LINNAEUS. Reise nach Palästina in den Jahren von 1749 bis 1752. auf Befehl ihro Majestät der Königinn von Schweden herausgegeben vond Carl Linnäus aus em Schwedischen.
Rostock, Johann Christian Koppe, 1762 (colophon: Leipzig, Johann Gottlob Immanuel Breitkopf, 1761). 8vo. With woodcut tailpieces. Contemporary half vellum. [18], 606 pp. Full description
€ 1,800
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On the relation between plants and minerals

HENCKEL (HENKEL), Johann Friedrich. Flora saturnizans, die Verwandtschafft des Pflanzen mit dem Mineral-Reich, nach der Natural-Historie und Chymie aus vielen Anmerckungen und Proben ...
Leipzig, Johann Christian Martini, 1722. 8vo. With engraved frontispiece showing a mining operation, and 9 engraved plates. 18th-century vellum. [10], 671, [17] pp. Full description
€ 2,800
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A natural history with 56 hand-coloured plates: the fossils, flora and fauna of the earth

HILL, John. A general natural history: or, new and accurate descriptions of the animals, vegetables, and minerals, of the different parts of the world; with their virtues and uses, as far as hitherto certainly known, in medicine and mechanics: ...
London, Printed for Thomas Osborne, 1748-1752. 3 volumes. Folio. With 56 hand-coloured plates (16 on plants, 28 on animals and 12 on fossils, some signed by B. Cole) and in volume 3 also 1 folding table.Contemporary green morocco, richly gold-tooled spines with red morocco labels, gold-tooled frames on the boards, marbled endpapers. Volumes misnumbered on the spines (vols. 1-3 labeled 3, 1 and 2 respectively). [12], 1-228, 333-592, *457-*592, 593-654, [6]; XXVI, 642; [7], [1 blank]; [8], 584, [4]; pp. Full description
€ 8,500
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The discovery of photosynthesis

INGEN-HOUSZ, Jan. Expériences sur les végétaux, spécialement sur la propriété qu'ils possèdent à un haut degré, soit d'améliorer l'air quand ils sont au soleil, soit de le corrompre la nuit, ou lorsqu'ils sont à l'ombre; auxquelles on a joint une méthode nouvelle de juger du degré de sa salubrité de l'atmosphère ... Traduit de l'anglois, par l'auteur.
Paris, P.F. Didot le jeune, 1780. 8vo. With a folded engraved plate. Contemporary half calf, gold-tooled spine. LXVIII, 333, [2], [1 blank] pp. Full description
€ 425
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The most richly illustrated edition of a famous description of South Africa

KOLB (KOLBE), Peter. Naaukeurige en uitvoerige beschryving van de Kaap de Goede Hoop.
Amsterdam, Balthazar Lakeman, 1727. 2 volumes bound as 1. Folio. With engraved title-page, engraved portrait of the author, 6 engraved maps (including one large folding map, 42.5 x 54.5 cm), 1 engraved plan and 45 engraved plates. 18th-century tanned sheepskin with a tree pattern, gold-tooled spine. [20], 529; [6], 449, [87] pp. Full description
€ 7,500
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A classic of travel literature: the expedition to Australia and surrounding islands
in search of La Pérouse, with the 14 botanical illustrations drawn by Redouté

LA BILLARDIERE, Jacques Julien Houtoe de. Relation du voyage à la recherche de La Pérouse, fait par ordre de l'Assemblée constituante, pendant les années 1791, 1792, et pendant la 1ere. et la 2e. année de la république Françoise.
Paris, Hendrik J. Jansen, An VIII [= 1799/1800]. 2 volumes. 8vo. With extensive tables at the end giving daily data from the ship's log and vocabulary lists for various indigenous languages. Contemporary half calf, marbled endpapers, red edges.
With: (2) Atlas pour server à la Relation du voyage à la recherche de La Pérouse ...
Paris, F. Schoell, 1811. Large folio (51 x 34.5 cm). With an engraved title-page, a large folding map (50 x 73 cm) showing the route taken by the expedition. Also with 43 further plates (ca. 45 x 30 cm), Contemporary half tan sheepskin, "maroquin" chemical-marbled sides. XVI, 440; 332, 109, [3] pp.; [1], 44 engraved ll. Full description
€ 10,000
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First edition of Peter Lauremberg’s influential treatise on horticulture with copperplates from Merian’s workshop

LAUREMBERG, Peter. Petri Laurembergii Rostochiensis, Apparatus plantarius primus...
Frankfurt am Main, Matthaeus Merian, [1632].
With: (2) LAUREMBERG, Peter. Petri Laurembergii Rostochiensis, Horticultura libris II. comprehensa;...
Frankfurt am Main, Matthaeus Merian, [1631].
2 works bound in one volume. 4to. Illustrated title pages (18,0 x 13,5 cm), headpieces, initials, 63 copperplate illustrations, endpieces. Vellum with a manuscript title on the spine. 168, [44]; 196 pp. Full description
€ 6,500
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Beautifully illustrated work on microscopy by the famous naturalist Ledermüller

LEDERMÜLLER, Martin Frobenius and J.C. HARREPETER (translator). Versuch, beÿ angehender Frühlings-Zeit die Vergrößerungs Werckzeuge zum nützlich u[nd] angenehmen Zeitvertreib anzuwenden. Von dem Verfasser der Mikroskopischen Gemüths u[nd] Augen Ergözung. | Essai d'employer les instruments microscopiques avec utilité et plaisir dans la saison du printems par l'auteur des amusements microscopiques tant des yeux que de l'esprit.
Nuremberg, A.L. Wirsing, 1764. Folio. With an engraved hand-coloured title-page and 12 full-page hand-coloured engraved plates, numbered I-XII (bound VII-XII, I-VI). Contemporary blue-ish grey paper boards, with a large white paper title-label on the front board with in manuscript "Amusements Microscopiques par Harrepeter. 1764" and with the manuscript title ("Mikroscope") on the spine. 48 pp. Full description
€ 9,500
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Comprehensive scientific periodical, with articles on James Cook and Hawaii

LICHTENBERG, Georg Christoph and Georg FORSTER. Göttingisches Magazin der Wissenschaften und Litteratur.
Göttingen, Johann Christian Dieterich, 1780. 6 parts in 3 volumes. 8vo. With an engraved portrait of James Cook as frontispiece of part 2, 5 engraved plates (including one coloured by hand), 4 folding engraved plates (including one printed on blue paper and with highlights in silver) and one folding plate with letterpress music. Modern paste-paper boards. [8], 168; [1], [1 blank], 169-334; Full description
€ 4,750
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Starting-point of modern systematic botany

LINNAEUS, Carl. Genera plantarum ... Editio secunda.
Paris, M.A. David, 1743. With 2 folding engraved plates, and one folding table.
With: (2) BULLIARD, Pierre. Dictionnaire élémentaire de botanique. Revu et presqu' entièrement refondu par Louis Claude Richard.
Paris, A.J. Dugour et Gabon, An VII 1798. With 10 folding engraved plates. 8vo. 2 works in 1 volume. Contemporary calf, spine richly gold-tooled. 52, 288, [34]; xxxii, [2], 413, [59] pp. Full description
€ 975
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Short manuscript descriptions of various birds, animals, plants and trees found in the forests of Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

[MANUSCRIPT - CEYLON - NATURAL HISTORY]. Schets van eenige zoorten van dieren welke in de bosschen omstreeks Cijlon gevonden worden.
[Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and the Netherlands?], [18th or 19th century?]. 8vo (16.5 x 10.5 cm). Written in a late 18th-century or early 19th-century cursive in French and Dutch.
With: (2) [MANUSCRIPT - FRENCH & DUTCH POEMS AND SONGS]. [Quelques Chansons]. Contemporary decorated paper wrappers. [28] pp. Full description
€ 1,750
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Italian edition of Martens's important account of a whaling voyage

MARTENS, Friedrich. Viaggio di Spizberga o' Gronlanda fatto da Federico Martens Amburghese l' anno 1671...
Bologna, Giacomo Monti, 1680. 12mo. With 2 folding engraved plates and 3 woodcut illustrations. Contemporary limp parchment. 264 pp. Full description
€ 6,500
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Queen Charlotte Sophia's copy, with 104 coloured proof plates, 104 uncoloured plates in final form, 4 additional coloured plates and an original dedicatory watercolour drawing

MILLER, John. Illustratio systematis sexualis Linnaei, ... | An illustration of the sexual system of Linnaeus, ...
London, published and sold by the author at his house ..., [1770-]1777. 3 volumes. Imperial folio (54 x 38 cm). Richly engraved frontispiece with medallion portraits of Miller and Linnaeus at the head, 3 identical engraved title-pages, 2 series of engraved botanical plates, each series printed from the same 104 plates, but that in volume 1 in proof-states and beautifully hand-coloured, that in volumes 2 & 3 in black and white with titles and imprints, and 4 further plates, numbered I-IV, showing 178 varieties of leaves, finely hand-coloured. With a full-page allegorical dedicatory pen and watercolour drawing for Queen Charlotte of England on the end-leaf before the frontispiece of the first volume, and a professionally lettered index covering all 3 volumes, specially made for this dedication copy, at the end of volume 3. Contemporary uniform gold-tooled mottled calf, richly gold-tooled spine. Full description
€ 60,000
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Tea and its cultivation in Asam and Ceylon investigated: presentation copy, with 22 original albumen prints

[CEYLON - TEA]. NETSCHER, H.J.Th., and Alexander Albert HOLLE. Verslag eener reis naar de thee-districten van Britsch-Indie en Ceylon ondernomen door de heeren H.J.Th. Netscher en A.A. Holle in opdracht van de Cultuur Maatschappij Parakan-Salak.
Including: Harold Hart MANN. Het ferment in het theeblad en zijne verhouding tot de hoedanigheid der thee.
Batavia, G. Kolff & Co., 1903. 2 works in 1 volume. Folio. With 1 engraved double-page plate, 4 lithographed colour-plates and 22 albumen photographs with guard leaves containing text. Contemporary brown cloth, title in gold, decorated endpapers. [2], 93, [1] pp. Full description
€ 4,850
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The first European botanical work describing Indian herbs and diseases,
copy from the Cornelius J. Hauck collection

ORTA, Garcia de, Carolus CLUSIUS and Nicolás MONARDES. Due libri dell'historia de i semplici aromati..
Venice, Francesco Ziletti, 1582. 8vo. With a woodcut printer's device on the title-page, 17 woodcut illustratons in text and numerous woodcut decorated initials (at least 4 series).
18th-century limp parchment, sewn on 2 leather supports, laced through the joints. [24], 347, [5] pp. Full description
€ 4,750
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Two journeys to China described by two pupils of Linnaeus

OSBECK, Peter and Olof TORÉN. Dagbok öfwer en Ostindisk resa åren 1750, 1751, 1752. Med anmärkningar uti naturkunnigheten, främmande folkslags sprak, seder, hushållning m.m. jåmte 12 tabeller och afledne skepps-predikanten Torens bref.
Stockholm, Lorentz Ludwig Grefing (printed by N. von Oelreich), 1757. 8vo. With 12 folding engraved plates (numbered 1-12), a small woodcut ornament at the start of the dedication and a decorated initials and an elaborate head-pieces, both built up from typographical ornaments. Contemporary(?) gold-tooled half sprinkled calf, with a beige title-label lettered in gold on the spine, sprinkled paper sides, red edges. [8], 376, [16] pp. Full description
€ 2,950
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Cryptogams in Germany, with 46 (chromo)lithographed plates

PABST, Gustav and Walther Otto MÜLLER. Cryptogamen-Flora enthaltend die Abbildung und Beschreibung der vorzüglichsten Cryptogamen Deutschlands.
Gera, C.B. Griesbach, 1874-1877. 3 parts in 1 volume. Large 4to (33 x 24.5 cm). With 12 numbered lithographed plates by C. Bollman in part 1; several wood engravings in text and 25 (numbered 23) chromolithographed plates by J.G. Bach in part 2; 1 lithographed and 8 numbered chromo-lithographed plates by Franz Dietsch in part 3. Original decorated publisher's cloth. [2], XXVIII; [4], 98; [6], 36 pp. Full description
€ 350
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Beautifully bound set of Pallas' famous description of Russia

PALLAS, Peter Simon (M. GAUTHIER DE LA PEYRONIE, transl.). Voyages de M. P.S. Pallas en differentes provinces de l'Empire de Russie, et dans l'Asie septentrionale.
Paris, Lagrange (vol. 1), Maradan (vol. 2-5; colophon of vol. 5: printed by Demonville), 1788-1793. 5 text volumes (4to) and 1 atlas volume (Imperial 4to: 33.5 x 25 cm). With 123 engraved plates and maps (27 folding), including a large folding map of the Russian Empire. Uniform gold-tooled tree calf, gilt edges. [3], [1 blank], XXXII, 773, [5]; [4], 550, [1], [1 blank]; [3], [1 blank], 492; [3], [1 blank], 722, [2]; [3], [1 blank], 559, [1] pp; atlas volume with 123 plates on 108 leaves. Full description
€ 12,500
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Pliny's “Historia naturalis”, edited by Caesarius, friend of Erasmus

PLINIUS SECUNDUS, Gaius. Naturalis historiae opus ...
(Colophon: Cologne, Eucharius Cervicornus, 1524.) Folio. With both title-page and part-title in a decorated woodcut border in four pieces. Calf (ca. 1700?), with gold-tooled spine; rebacked with original backstrip laid down. [16], 311, [60] ll. Full description
€ 22,500
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Pliny's Natural history, annotated by the Italian scholar Hermolaus Barberus

PLINIUS SECUNDUS, Gaius. Opus divinum, cui titulus historiae naturalis, multoqua[m] antehac unqua[m] prodiit in luce[m] castigatius, una cu[m] annotationibus Hermanolai Barbari ...
Paris, Jean Petit (colophon: Nicolaus Sauetier), 1526. 2 parts in 1 volume (bound in reverse order). Folio. With title-page to the main work (bound second) printed in red and black and title-page to the index (bound first), each in a four-piece woodcut border. Contemporary or near contemporary calf, with the boards richly blind-tooled in a panel design; rebacked with part of the original backstrip laid down. [188], [34], "CCCCCXXXVI" [= CCCCCXXXVIII] pp. Full description
€ 18,000
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A scientific study of the natural history of Norway, including its sea monsters

PONTOPPIDAN, Erich. The natural history of Norway ...
London, printed for A. Linde, 1755. 2 parts in 1 volume. Folio. With a large folding engraved map of Norway by Johann Baptist Homann, and 28 engraved plates depicting minerals, shells, fishes, birds, mammals, plants, and the inhabitants of Norway. Contemporary gold- and blind-tooled calf, with gold-tooled corner edges of the boards, gold-tooled turn-ins and marbled edges. XXIV, 206; VIII, 291, [12] pp. Full description
€ 5,850
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Dutch scientific journal for craftsmen, with folding plates, 20 years before Diderot & dAlembert

RANOUW, Willem van. Kabinet der natuurlyke historien, wetenschappen, konsten en handwerken, geopent met de maanden January en February 1719. Verciert en opgeheldert met kopere plaaten.
Including: MEERSCH, Pieter van der. Register tot alle de deelen van het kabinet ... van W. v. Ranouw.
Amsterdam, Hendrik Strik; Zacharia Moelé and Johannes de Ruiter; Balthasar Lakeman, 1730; 1719-1727; 1732. 21 parts in 9 volumes. 8vo. With an identical engraved allegorical frontispiece in volumes 1-8, different woodcut vignettes on the title-pages and 49 numbered engraved maps and plates, all but one folding. Contemporary vellum, manuscript title on the spines. [16], 176, [2], 552, [8]; [4], 564, [8]; [8], 562, [6]; 570, [6]; 570; [9]; [8], 176, [2], 191-380, [2], 563, [6]; [8], 183, [1], 1-192, 1-192, [8]; [16], 176, 1-191, [1], [20], 1-151, [1]; [12], 690 pp. Full description
€ 3,950
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Ray's botanical classification in its definitive form

RAY, John. (Johannes RAIUS). Methodus plantarum, emendata et aucta. In quâ notae maxime characteristicae exhibentur, quibus stirpium genera tum summa, tum infima cognoscuntur & à se mutuo dignoscuntur ... Accedit methodus Graminum, Juncorum et Cyperorum specialis. Eodem auctore
"London" & Amsterdam, "Samuel Smith & Benjamin Walford"; J. & G. Janssonius van Waesberge [printed in Leiden], 1703. 8vo. With an integral engraved frontispiece portrait of the author and an inserted letterpress hierarchical table (folded up at the foot). Contemporary calf, rebacked. [35], [1 blank], 202, [26] pp. Full description
€ 2,250
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More than a facsimile of the greatest rose book

REDOUTÉ, Pierre Joseph and Claude Antoine THORY. Les roses.
Antwerp, De Schutter, 1974-1978. 4 volumes. Large folio (55 x 36 cm). A complete facsimile of the first edition (Paris, Firmin Didot, 1817-1824) with additions from the third edition, portraits, and extensive new material including commentaries, biographies and bibliographies, and an English summary of Thory's text. With 179 colour plates. Finely bound in red half morocco. 387 pp. Full description
€ 2,750
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Important 17th-century illustrated description of the Antilles

[ROCHEFORT, Charles de]. Histoire naturelle et morale des Iles Antilles de l'Amérique ...
Rotterdam, Arnout Leers, 1658. 2 parts in 1 volume. 4to. With an engraved title-page, a woodcut printer's device on the typographical title-page, a full-page portrait of Amproux, 43 engraved plates in the text of all kinds of plants, trees, animals and costumes from the Antilles. Further with a divisional title-page for the second part, and woodcut decorated initials, head- and tailpieces throughout. Contemporary gold-tooled marbled calf, with a red morocco title-label lettered in gold, gold-tooled board edges, marbled edges, marbled endpapers, and a bright pink reading ribbon. [1], [1 blank], [12], 527, [12], [1 blank] pp. Full description
€ 8,500
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Modern standard work on mushrooms, with 316 chromolithographed plates

ROMAGNESI, Henri. Nouvel atlas des champignons.
[Paris], Bordas, 1956-1967. 4 volumes. 4to. With 316 numbered chromolithographed plates after Chenantais and lithographed by Mourlot, 39 full-page black and white illustrations, and 68 illustrations in the text. Publisher's original cloth (each volume a different colour), in the chromolithographed green dust jackets. 96; 202; 64; 224 pp. plus plates. Full description
€ 475
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Rare extensive compendium of over 1000 trees and shrubs

[RÖSSIG, Carl Gottlieb] and Jan Baptist van WINTERSHOVEN. Handboek voor liefhebbers van vreemde plantzoenen en tuiniers, of aanleiding tot de kennisse van alle in- en uitlandsche boomen en heesters, welke bij ons in de opene lucht kunnen gekweekt worden.
Utrecht, Gijsbert Tieme van Paddenburg and son, 1795. 8vo. Small woodcut device on title-page and a small woodcut tailpiece.Contemporary, stiff, sprinkled paper wrappers, letterpress spine label. VIII, 580 pp. Full description
€ 450
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Large paper copy of "the most important monograph devoted to the hyacinth"

[SAINT-SIMON, Maximilien Henri, Marquis de]. Des jacintes, de leur anatomie, reproduction et culture.
Amsterdam, (colophon fol. X4v: printed by Klaas Eel, 28 March), 1768. 4to. With engraved illustration by J. van Hiltrop on title-page and 10 numbered engraved plates by Jacob vander Schley, with details of several specimens and the last plate showing the layout of flower beds by Voorhelm, Kreps and Cock. Contemporary mottled, tanned sheepskin, gold-tooled spine. 164, [4], 15, [1 blank] pp. Full description
€ 1,750
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Outstanding botanical manuscript in perfect condition

SALLERON, Louis. [MANUSCRIPT]. Catalogue général des plantes cultivées a l'école de botanique du jardin du roi. Selon la classification adoptée par M. Ad. Brongniart, et indiquant en synonymes les noms des plantes de l'ancienne école de desfontaines.
Paris, 1848. 4to. In a dark green custom case with thte title on the spine in gold lettering, interior of red calfskin lined with suede. Dark green morocco. [10], 17, [1], 425, [31] pp. Full description
€ 28,000
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Siebold's last journey to Japan, in original publisher's wrappers

SIEBOLD, Alexander Freiherr von. Ph. Fr. von Siebold's letzte Reise nach Japan 1859-1862 ... von seinem ältesten Sohne.
Berlin, Kisak Tamai, 1903. 8vo (22.5 x 14 cm). With title-page in Japanese and German, 2 half-tone plates showing photographic portraits of Philip von Siebold (1 with his son Alexander) and 3 photographic views in the text. Original publisher's printed cloth-covered paper wrappers, with publisher's advertisements printed on paste-downs. IX, [1], 130, [4], [2 blank] pp. Full description
€ 1,950
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The auction of a renowned library: complete science and natural history parts

SOTHEBY'S. The library of the Earls of Macclesfield removed from Shirburn Castle. Part two: Science A-C; part four: Science D-H; part five: Science I-O; Part six: Science P-Z plus addenda.
With: The library of the Earls of Macclesfield ... Part one: Natural history.
London, Sothebys, 2004-2005. 5 volumes. 4to (27.5 21.5 cm). Original decorated blue cloth. Full description
€ 350
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From a series of "the finest engravings of flowers ever made" by the teacher of Redouté

SPAENDONCK, Gerard van. Chène commun. Quercus robur L. [From: Fleurs dessinées d'après nature,... Recueil utile aux amateurs, aux jeunes artistes, aux élèves des écoles centrales et aux dessinateurs des manufactures].
[Paris, 1799-1801]. Stipple engraving on unwatermarked wove paper (56 x 36.5 cm), printed in colour à la poupée and finished by hand, of a Quercus robur including two acorns, an empty shell and two buds, signed "P.F. Le Grand sculp." In passepartout. Full description
€ 2,750
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Treating diseases with poisonous plants, with 4 engraved plates

STÖRCK, Anton von. Libellus, quo demonstratur, stramonium, hyosciamum, aconitum non solum tuto posse exhiberi usu interno hominibus, verum & ea esse remedia in multis morbis maxime salutifera.
Naples, Benedicti Gessari, 1762. With 3 folding engraved plates.
With: (2) STÖRCK, Anton von. Supplementum necessarium de cicuta, ubi simul jungitur cicutae imago aere excusa.Naples, Benedicti Gessari, 1762. With a folding engraved plate. 2 works in 1 volume. 8vo. Contemporary vellum. [10], 7-99, [1]; 52 pp. Full description
€ 500
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A voyage to India and China, edited by Linnaeus

TORÉN, Olof. Voyage de Mons. Olof Torée aumonier de la Compagnie Suedoise des Indes Orientales, fait à Surate, à la Chine &c. depuis le prémier avril 1750. jusqu'au 26. juin 1752.Milan, Les Freres Reycends, 1771. 12mo. Contemporary blue paper wrappers. 92 pp. Full description
€ 2,400
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"Pioneering botanical, entomological, and petrographic observations"

TOWNSON, Robert. Travels in Hungary, with a short account of Vienna in the year 1793.
London, G. G. & J. Robinson, 1797 4to. With a folding hand-coloured engraved map, 16 engraved plates (some folding), and a folding engraved table. Modern half calf with gold on red spine label, marbled sides. xviii, [1], 506 pp. Full description
€ 2,000
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One of the earliest works on California

VÉNEGAS, Miguél and Andrés Marcos BURRIEL. Histoire naturelle et civile de la Californie, contenant une description exacte de ce pays, de son sol, de ses montagnes, lacs, rivières & mers, de ses animaux, végétaux, minéraux, & de sa fameuse pêcherie des perles; les moeurs de ses habitans, leur religion, leur gouvernement, & leur façon de vivre avant leur conversion au Christianisme; un detail des différens voyages, & tentatives qu'on a faites pour s'y établir, & reconnoître son Golfe & la côte de la Mer du Sud.
Paris, Durand, 1767. 3 volumes. 8vo. With a folding engraved map of California. Contemporary mottled calf, richly gold-tooled spines, gold-tooled binding edges. [2], XXIV, 360; VIII, 375; VIII, 354, [2] pp. Full description
€ 1,400
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Rare extensive compendium of over 1000 trees and shrubs

[RÖSSIG, Carl Gottlieb] and Jan Baptist van WINTERSHOVEN. Handboek voor liefhebbers van vreemde plantzoenen en tuiniers, of aanleiding tot de kennisse van alle in- en uitlandsche boomen en heesters, welke bij ons in de opene lucht kunnen gekweekt worden.
Utrecht, Gijsbert Tieme van Paddenburg and son, 1795. 8vo. Small woodcut device on title-page and a small woodcut tailpiece. Contemporary, stiff, sprinkled paper wrappers, letterpress spine label. VIII, 580 pp. Full description
€ 450
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Exceptionally rare 17th-century flower book with beautiful engravings

WITT, Frederick de. Nieuwt[!] Bloem-Boeck.
[Amsterdam], Frederick de Widt[!], [third quarter of the 17th century]. Folio (31 x 20 cm). With 16 full-page, numbered engravings, comprising the title-page and 15 illustrations of flowers. Modern half-vellum with decorative paper sides (gold, sprinkled red, and with green leaf designs), manuscript title on the spine. [16] ll. Full description
€ 15,000
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