The following 13 lots form a very rare but imperfect set of original parts from Robert John Thornton's large-format Temple of Flora and smaller-format A New Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus. They are bound in light grey-green thin-card wrappers with engraved titles on pink paper labels on each front cover. Thornton issued the two works independently for the first eight parts, then combined the two from part IX onwards. The large-format plates (circa 590 mx 480mm.) are colour-printed in aquatint and mezzotint and finished by hand, the small-format plates are uncoloured. All the plates are uncut, and generally in good condition. Where possible the state of each plate has been given, following H. Buchanan's list in his 1951 edition of Temple of Flora.
THORNTON, Robert John. - Earlom (engraver) after Reinegle. Tulips. May 1 1798.
Details
THORNTON, Robert John. - Earlom (engraver) after Reinegle. Tulips. May 1 1798.
Bound in original part I, large-format engraved title ('Picturesque Botanical Plates...') and dedication leaf.
Bound in original part I, large-format engraved title ('Picturesque Botanical Plates...') and dedication leaf.