[Instructions pour les jardins fruitiers et potagers] The compleat gard'ner; or, Directions for cultivating and right ordering of fruit-gardens and kitchen-gardens; with divers reflections on several parts of husbandry. In six books. By the famous Monsr. De La Quintinye, chief director of all the gardens of the French-King. To which is added his Treatise of orange-trees, with the raising of melons, omitted in the French editions. Made English by John Evelyn Esquire, illustrated with copper plates by [John EVELYN] QUINTINYE [Quintinie], Jean de la (1626-1688) - 1693

London: printed for Matthew Gillyflower, at the Spread Eagle in Westminster-Hall, and James Partridge, at the Posthouse at Charing-Cross, 1693. First Edition. Full Calf. Near Fine+. First (and only unabridged) English Edition, among the last of Evelyn's major publications (Keynes), of this immensely popular garden book (and probably the most influential book in the history of pomology) by the leading French gardener of the seventeenth century. 2º: [44],184,[4],204[118 misnumbered 116; pp 117-136 omitted but text continuous],4,[4],80pp, with copper-engraved frontispiece portrait of La Quintinie, 11 plates (2 double-page) of pruning patterns and tools, and woodcuts in text. Each section (six main books on fruit and kitchen gardens, treatises on oranges and melons, and reflection on agriculture) begins with a large engraved vignette. Contemporary Cambridge-style paneled calf, spine in six compartments with center gilt medallion in each between raised bands, brown morocco lettering piece gilt, plain period end papers, title page in red and black. On front paste down, copper-engraved armorial bookplate of 1st Earl of Ilchester (Stephen Fox, 1704-1776, who had represented Shaftesbury in Parliament). A superb set, light marginal damp stains and minor soiling on opening leaves only, worming not impairing legibility through tops of 60 leaves or so in middle of volume and 10 leaves at end, else a beautifully printed, clean, crisp wide-margined copy in handsome period binding. Hunt 388. Oak Spring Pomona 2. Wing L431. Henrey 218. Keynes 103. Cleveland Herbal 293. Bibliotheca Bibliographici 2068. Cagle 814. Originally published (posthumously) in Paris, in 1690, under the title Instruction pour les jardins fruitiers et potagers. For more than 20 years, beginning in 1665, La Quintinie worked as gardener to Louis XIV, rising steadily with ever-expanding titles. The potager at Versailles, constructed from 1677 to 1683, is the most famous of the fruit and kitchen gardens he oversaw to meet the needs of the court: asparagus in December and strawberries in April, as well as the King's favorite figs. Sometime in the late 1660's, La Quintinie visited England, where he met John Evelyn (and visited his garden at Sayes Court, Deptford), whose translation introduced La Quintinie's methods to a wide audience. This book, published by La Quintinie's son Michel, introduced his methods to a wide audience, with detailed instructions for planting, pruning and espaliering fruit trees, and cultivating vegetables. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed.