![REGNAULT Nicolas François (1746-c.1810) and Geneviève de Nangis REGNAULT (b.1746). La Botanique mise a la portée de tout le Monde ou collection des Plantes d'usage dans la Medecine, dans les Alimens et dans les Arts. Paris: the author and Didot le jeune, [1770]-1774-[1780].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/CKS/2017_CKS_14299_0191_001(regnault_nicolas_francois_and_genevieve_de_nangis_regnault_la_botaniqu114016).jpg?w=1)
![REGNAULT Nicolas François (1746-c.1810) and Geneviève de Nangis REGNAULT (b.1746). La Botanique mise a la portée de tout le Monde ou collection des Plantes d'usage dans la Medecine, dans les Alimens et dans les Arts. Paris: the author and Didot le jeune, [1770]-1774-[1780].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/CKS/2017_CKS_14299_0191_000(regnault_nicolas_francois_and_genevieve_de_nangis_regnault_la_botaniqu104928).jpg?w=1)
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REGNAULT Nicolas François (1746-c.1810) and Geneviève de Nangis REGNAULT (b.1746). La Botanique mise a la portée de tout le Monde ou collection des Plantes d'usage dans la Medecine, dans les Alimens et dans les Arts. Paris: the author and Didot le jeune, [1770]-1774-[1780].
First edition of one of the great flower books, illustrated with 475 hand-coloured engraved plates. Besides listing plants with medicinal uses, the work also covers those to be used in gastronomy or in the arts. 'Perhaps the most impressive French botanical book of the period' (Blunt): it took twelve years to complete. The goal of its authors was to produce a botanical treatise for practical use, hence the inclusion of a ‘Table des Maladies’ explaining how each plant should be used against each disease, be it migraine, insomnia, vertigo, apoplexy, or even drunkenness. Blunt & Stearn, p.171; Johnston 517; Dunthorne 256; Great Flower Books p.131; Nissen BBI 1600; Pritzel 7475; Pinault Sorensen, Le Livre de botanique, 2008, p.70 ('Mme Regnault pose avec delicatesse les couleurs comme en témoignent les planches consacrées à des fleurs aux fins coloris comme le chèvrefeuille, qui orne aussi la guirlande de la page de titre, ou le laurier-rose'); Stafleu & Cowan 8810; Soultrait 18th century 118.
3 volumes, folio (473 x 340mm). 3 hand-coloured engraved titles, 472 hand-coloured engraved plates by or after the Regnaults, with the engraved leaf 'Introduction la Botanique' at end of vol. II, 2 additional 'Supplement' letterpress table of contents leaves bound at end of vol. II and III, explanatory text leaves with woodcut headpieces (without the 'Order de la Distribution' leaf found in some copies, occasional very faint and insignificant spotting). Contemporary catspaw calf, gilt spines with red morocco gilt lettering-pieces, red edges (minor split to upper joint of vol. 1, extremities lightly rubbed). Provenance: Arpad Plesch (bookplate; Sotheby's 15 March 1976, lot 635) -- Robert de Belder (Sotheby’s 28 April 1987, lot 295) -- Christie’s New York, an Important Botanical Library (4 June 1997, lot 124, where purchased for $50,600).
First edition of one of the great flower books, illustrated with 475 hand-coloured engraved plates. Besides listing plants with medicinal uses, the work also covers those to be used in gastronomy or in the arts. 'Perhaps the most impressive French botanical book of the period' (Blunt): it took twelve years to complete. The goal of its authors was to produce a botanical treatise for practical use, hence the inclusion of a ‘Table des Maladies’ explaining how each plant should be used against each disease, be it migraine, insomnia, vertigo, apoplexy, or even drunkenness. Blunt & Stearn, p.171; Johnston 517; Dunthorne 256; Great Flower Books p.131; Nissen BBI 1600; Pritzel 7475; Pinault Sorensen, Le Livre de botanique, 2008, p.70 ('Mme Regnault pose avec delicatesse les couleurs comme en témoignent les planches consacrées à des fleurs aux fins coloris comme le chèvrefeuille, qui orne aussi la guirlande de la page de titre, ou le laurier-rose'); Stafleu & Cowan 8810; Soultrait 18th century 118.
3 volumes, folio (473 x 340mm). 3 hand-coloured engraved titles, 472 hand-coloured engraved plates by or after the Regnaults, with the engraved leaf 'Introduction la Botanique' at end of vol. II, 2 additional 'Supplement' letterpress table of contents leaves bound at end of vol. II and III, explanatory text leaves with woodcut headpieces (without the 'Order de la Distribution' leaf found in some copies, occasional very faint and insignificant spotting). Contemporary catspaw calf, gilt spines with red morocco gilt lettering-pieces, red edges (minor split to upper joint of vol. 1, extremities lightly rubbed). Provenance: Arpad Plesch (bookplate; Sotheby's 15 March 1976, lot 635) -- Robert de Belder (Sotheby’s 28 April 1987, lot 295) -- Christie’s New York, an Important Botanical Library (4 June 1997, lot 124, where purchased for $50,600).
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