[Hortus Nitidissimis omnem per annum superbiens floribus. Nuremberg: Fleischmann, and Adam Ludwig Wirsing, plates dated 1753-1786]

by TREW, Christoph Jakob (1695-1769) - EHRET, Georg (1807-1770)

Price: $275,000.00
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Book description:

Folio. 172 fine hand-colored engraved plates by J.M. Seligman, J.M. Stock and A.L. Wirsing after G.D. Ehret, G.W. Baurenfeind, B.R. and M.B. Dietschin, N.F. Eisenberger, J.C. Keller and others (plates 60 and 61, and 121 and 122 counted as one plate each, bound without plates 90, 126, 131, 135, 179 and 180, first two plates with slight vertical crease, plate 97 with small tear at fold not affecting the image).

Bound without text. Contemporary mottled calf (joints cracked, extremities scuffed). "ONE OF FINEST RECORDS OF THE CULTIVATED FLOWERS OF THE PERIOD" (Dunthorne). First edition, bound, as often found, without text, which was not published simultaneously with the plates. Described by Blunt as "one of the most decorative florilegia of the mid-eighteenth century" with more than forty of the plates based on drawings by Trew's famous protégé Georg Ehret with whom he had collaborated on "Plantae Selectae".

The spectacular plates are "full sized colored figures of Hyacinths, Tulips (over 20 plates), Ranunculi, Anemones, Caryophylli, Lilies, Auriculas, Roses, Narcissi, Iris, Cheiranthi, Asters, Fritilleries, Crown Imperials" (Dunthorne), and are some of the most sought after and important botanical prints in the world. It is no wonder that he became one of the foremost illustrators of botanical images of his time, at a time when it can be said that art of this nature was highly prized and passionately collected.

The number of plates bibliographers have associated with this work differs considerably:

• Brunet V:943 (calls for 190 plates)
• Dunthorne 310 (180 plates, actually 178)
• Great Flower Books p. 78 (180 plates, plates 60/61 and 121/122 are represented by one plate each)
• Johnston "Cleveland Collections" 493 (190 plates); Nissen BBI 1995 (180 plates, 60/61 and 121/122 each on one plate, referance to Tjaden with 190 plates)
• Pritzel 9500 (180 plates); Stafleu and Cowan TL2 15.130 (180 plates, with reference to Tjaden with 190 plates).

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