Flora: seu, De florum cultura Or, A complete florilege, furnished with all requisites belonging to a florist. The second impression corrected, with many additions, and several new plates. In III. books [Flora, Ceres & Pomona] by REA [Rhea], John (d. 1681) - 1676

London: printed by T[homas]. N[ewcomb]. for George Marriott, and are to be sold at his shop, at the sign of the Temple, near the Inner-Temple Gate, in Fleetstreet, 1676. First Edition. Full Calf. Fine. First Edition of one of the most important gardening books to be published in England during the second half of the seventeenth century. Folio: [24],231,[9] pp, with letterpress title printed in red and black, additional engraved title with accompanying printed leaf "The Mind of the Front," 3 large engraved vignettes, one for each of the three book, 8 engraved plates of flower beds with 16 numbered illustrations, and numerous woodcut initials. Contemporary English calf, beautifully rebacked with spine in six compartments between blind-ruled raised bands, gilt lettering direct to three compartments. Armorial engraved bookplate of Edward Parker of Browsholme (1658-1721) and smaller printed plate of Robert J. Hayhurst (Lancashire collector of eighteenth-century literature in well-preserved contemporary bindings) to front paste-down. An excellent wide-margined example of this scarce title, boards scuffed with heavy craquelure (completely stable) but binding firm and tight; deep, rich impressions of type and plates; clean, bright pages (occasional ink stain, but without foxing). Henrey I, pp. 194-198 & no. 326. Wing R422. Oak Spring Flora 31. Pritzel 7445. The second impression corrected, with many additions, and several new plates. Rea reputedly had the largest collection of tulips in England. His Flora contains descriptions of hundreds of flowering plants. "Each of the three books that make up Flora is dedicated to one of the three goddesses who appear together on the title-page. The first book, offered to Flora herself, describes how to construct a garden, recommends which trees, shrubs and flowers to plant, and explains various gardening techniques. The second, dedicated to the harvest goddess Ceres, describes the cultivation of various annuals and biennials, while the third, offered to Pomona, the goddess of tree-fruits, invites the reader 'to Banquet of the best Garden-Fruits our cold Northern Country will afford.'" (Oak Spring Flora) N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, with dust jackets carefully preserved in archival, removable polypropylene sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).