![BLACKWELL, Elizabeth (1707-1758). A Curious Herbal. London: for Samuel Harding, 1737 [-1739].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14998_0173_001(blackwell_elizabeth_a_curious_herbal_london_for_samuel_harding_1737_-1052848).jpg?w=1)
![BLACKWELL, Elizabeth (1707-1758). A Curious Herbal. London: for Samuel Harding, 1737 [-1739].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14998_0173_002(blackwell_elizabeth_a_curious_herbal_london_for_samuel_harding_1737_-1052902).jpg?w=1)
![BLACKWELL, Elizabeth (1707-1758). A Curious Herbal. London: for Samuel Harding, 1737 [-1739].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14998_0173_003(blackwell_elizabeth_a_curious_herbal_london_for_samuel_harding_1737_-1052916).jpg?w=1)
![BLACKWELL, Elizabeth (1707-1758). A Curious Herbal. London: for Samuel Harding, 1737 [-1739].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14998_0173_000(blackwell_elizabeth_a_curious_herbal_london_for_samuel_harding_1737_-1100902).jpg?w=1)
PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF J. E. SAFRA
BLACKWELL, Elizabeth (1707-1758). A Curious Herbal. London: for Samuel Harding, 1737 [-1739].
Details
BLACKWELL, Elizabeth (1707-1758). A Curious Herbal. London: for Samuel Harding, 1737 [-1739].
The first edition of the first herbal illustrated by a woman; one of the earliest English botanical books with handcolored plates, and one of the first to be published in parts. A large-paper copy, finely bound in contemporary black morocco, and extra-illustrated with an original watercolor. The Scottish botanist "Elizabeth Blackwell prepared A Curious Herbal, at the suggestion of Hans Sloane, as a means of getting her husband, Dr. Alexander Blackwell, out of debtor's prison. [...] This, with Martyn and Catesby, is one of the early flower books published in parts. Each numbered leaf was issued with the four plates described on it, at the rate of one a week for 125 weeks. Beginning in 1737, the parts continued into 1739. Hand-colored parts sold for two shillings, ordinary parts for one" (Hunt). An early issue with both title-pages dated 1737. Cleveland Collections 386; Dunthorne 42; Great Flower Books, p. 50; Henrey 450 (Banksian copy with variant title in vol. 1); Hunt 510; Nissen BBI 168; Pritzel 811; Stafleu & Cowan TL2 545.
Two volumes, folio (445 x 275 mm). Engraved throughout, 500 handcolored engraved plates; bound in at end of vol. 2, before the Index leaves is: 1) a folding engraved plate of a "Peruvian Bark Tree" by J. Mynde after Johannes Hawkeens' drawing of 1739, published 1741, printed in reverse and handcolored, with extensive manuscript caption [possibly in the hand of Josiah Messer]; and 2) an original watercolor drawing with faint pencil caption "Scylla rubra offic.," unsigned, some spotting and foxing throughout, mostly to text, occasional minor stains on plates, some sheet discoloration). Contemporary English black morocco gilt, covers with broad gilt borders comprising a repeated tool of a crown, star, dot, flower and a variety of other small tools, central lozenge of the same massed tools, marbled endpapers, gilt edges (expertly rebacked with original spine laid down, some wear and expert repair to corners). Provenance: Josiah Messer (contemporary signature on first blanks) – George Hubbard (bookplates) – Christie's, 26 November 1981, lot 314 – An Important Botanical Library, Part I, Christie’s New York, 4 June 1997, lot 8.
The first edition of the first herbal illustrated by a woman; one of the earliest English botanical books with handcolored plates, and one of the first to be published in parts. A large-paper copy, finely bound in contemporary black morocco, and extra-illustrated with an original watercolor. The Scottish botanist "Elizabeth Blackwell prepared A Curious Herbal, at the suggestion of Hans Sloane, as a means of getting her husband, Dr. Alexander Blackwell, out of debtor's prison. [...] This, with Martyn and Catesby, is one of the early flower books published in parts. Each numbered leaf was issued with the four plates described on it, at the rate of one a week for 125 weeks. Beginning in 1737, the parts continued into 1739. Hand-colored parts sold for two shillings, ordinary parts for one" (Hunt). An early issue with both title-pages dated 1737. Cleveland Collections 386; Dunthorne 42; Great Flower Books, p. 50; Henrey 450 (Banksian copy with variant title in vol. 1); Hunt 510; Nissen BBI 168; Pritzel 811; Stafleu & Cowan TL2 545.
Two volumes, folio (445 x 275 mm). Engraved throughout, 500 handcolored engraved plates; bound in at end of vol. 2, before the Index leaves is: 1) a folding engraved plate of a "Peruvian Bark Tree" by J. Mynde after Johannes Hawkeens' drawing of 1739, published 1741, printed in reverse and handcolored, with extensive manuscript caption [possibly in the hand of Josiah Messer]; and 2) an original watercolor drawing with faint pencil caption "Scylla rubra offic.," unsigned, some spotting and foxing throughout, mostly to text, occasional minor stains on plates, some sheet discoloration). Contemporary English black morocco gilt, covers with broad gilt borders comprising a repeated tool of a crown, star, dot, flower and a variety of other small tools, central lozenge of the same massed tools, marbled endpapers, gilt edges (expertly rebacked with original spine laid down, some wear and expert repair to corners). Provenance: Josiah Messer (contemporary signature on first blanks) – George Hubbard (bookplates) – Christie's, 26 November 1981, lot 314 – An Important Botanical Library, Part I, Christie’s New York, 4 June 1997, lot 8.