English Botany; Or, Coloured Figures Of British Plants, With Their Essential Characters, Synonyms, And Places Of Growth. To Which Will Be Added, Occasional Remarks by SOWERBY, James [1757-1822] & Sir James Edward SMITH [1759-1828]

London: Printed for the Author by J.Davis…, 1790-1814. First Edition of “one of the most celebrated of all English floras” (Henrey II p. 141). Sir James Edward Smith, author of the letterpress, remarked of the publication: “In the year 1790 the late Mr. James Sowerby, an eminent botanical draughtsman and a faithful observer of nature, requested my assistance in publishing coloured figures of British plants…This publication, from which the fungi are excluded…approaches nearer to a complete set of figures of the native plants, than ever appeared in this or any country. The plates amount to 2592, and…they are, on the whole, the most expressive and accurate of their kind.” Upon its first appearance, contemporary Suffolk botanist Thomas Jenkinson Woodward wrote to Smith: “I have got the first No. of English botany, and am charmed with it. I have recommended it to every body I have seen who buys of this sort…The paper, print and execution of the plates, is so much superior to Curtis, that there can be no fear of its succeeding…”. “English botany is of value even to the present day as a work of reference, and as an illustrated flora of our country it has never been surpassed.” (Henrey II p. 143) Henrey 1366. Hunt 717. Nissen 2225. Pritzel 8789. Dunthorne 291. Sitwell & Blunt, Great Flower Books p.76. 36 Volumes. 8vo. 2592 hand-coloured engraved plates. A handsome set in contemporary full vellum, covers ruled in blue (some chipping to 4 spine labels, some bowing to covers, 3 spines with horizontal incisions & 2 of these with small pieces missing, some foxing to endleaves). armorial bookplate of the Marquis of Stafford & his gilt crest at the foot of the spines