Details
BLACKWELL, Elizabeth. A Curious Herbal, Containing five hundred cuts of the most useful plants. London: John Nourse at the Lamb without Temple Bar, 1739.
2 volumes, 2° (390 x 245mm). Engraved throughout, two titles, seven dedicatory leaves, one leaf commendation from the Royal College of Physicians, one leaf of 'English index', 125 leaves of explanatory text and 500 uncoloured plates. (Margin of plate 10 slightly tattered, light worming to upper blank margin of plates 249-252, index leaf adhering to rear free endpaper of vol.I.) Contemporary calf (extremities worn, joints slightly split).
FIRST EDITION, later issue. One of the first English botanical books to be issued in parts (125 parts in all: 2s per part coloured, 1s uncoloured). Elizabeth Blackwell took lodgings opposite the Chelsea Physic Garden at the suggestion of Isaac Reed, in order to draw and engrave the plants. She undertook the work at the suggestion of Sir Hans Sloane to raise money in order to free her husband, Alexander, from debtor's prison. The work was a success and she achieved her object. Her husband eventually moved to Sweden where he was beheaded in July 1747, for his part in a conspiracy to alter the Swedish succession. Nissen BBI 168; Cf. Henrey 453. (2)
2 volumes, 2° (390 x 245mm). Engraved throughout, two titles, seven dedicatory leaves, one leaf commendation from the Royal College of Physicians, one leaf of 'English index', 125 leaves of explanatory text and 500 uncoloured plates. (Margin of plate 10 slightly tattered, light worming to upper blank margin of plates 249-252, index leaf adhering to rear free endpaper of vol.I.) Contemporary calf (extremities worn, joints slightly split).
FIRST EDITION, later issue. One of the first English botanical books to be issued in parts (125 parts in all: 2s per part coloured, 1s uncoloured). Elizabeth Blackwell took lodgings opposite the Chelsea Physic Garden at the suggestion of Isaac Reed, in order to draw and engrave the plants. She undertook the work at the suggestion of Sir Hans Sloane to raise money in order to free her husband, Alexander, from debtor's prison. The work was a success and she achieved her object. Her husband eventually moved to Sweden where he was beheaded in July 1747, for his part in a conspiracy to alter the Swedish succession. Nissen BBI 168; Cf. Henrey 453. (2)