Kalendarium Hortense: or, The Gardeners Almanac, Directing what he is to do Monthly throughout the Year. And What Fruits and Flowers are in Prime

London : R Chiswell in St Paul's Churchyard, T Sawbridge in Little-Britain and R Bentley in Russell-Street in Covent Garden, 1691 A very good copy of the 8th edition of Evelyn's classic work which was the first calendar produced for english gardeners (first published in 1664). John Evelyn (1620-1706) was, among other talents, a noted horticulturalist. In what appears to be the original binding which has been repaired so that it has a newer spine. The spine has a red title label and gilt lettering and decoration around raised bands. There is some wear to the edges of the boards but the binding is otherwise in very good condition. Internally the free endpapers look to have been replaced at some point. There is a black and white engraved frontispiece and title page with red and black inks. There is an ink marking at the top of the title page which has blotted onto the top of the frontispiece. With dedication to Abraham Cowley Esq; a dedicated poem by Abraham Cowley called 'The Garden' to John Evelyn (which has 2 ink signatures of A Cowley at the end - it seems unlikely that these are original); introduction to the Kalendar; and the Kalendar arranged in months. Each month has 2 title sections with its name in red capitals with an astrological sign - the first section covers the Orchard and Olitory Garden; the second the Parterre and flower garden. There is a section on the new conservatory or green-house illustrated with an engraving; a section on the best fruit varieties; a detailed index and an errata page. There is another ink signature at the rear. The contents are in very good condition bar the occasional brown spot. 175 pp plus the index and errata page