An Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus. Vol. I + II

Description:

Vol. I: An Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus (1779); Vol. II: An Illustration of the Termini Botanici of Linnaeus (1789). Engraved title-pages, engraved allegorical frontis, beautiful hand-coloured engraved plates as follows: Vol. 1: (i), 1-100, 102-103, 105-106 (plates 101 + 104 not published). Vol. II: 1-19, 21-86 (Plate 20 not published).

John Miller (1715–1792), engraver and botanist, was born in Nuremberg, Germany. In 1744 he emigrated to England, where he established himself as a leading designer and engraver of historical and portrait prints. But Miller also followed his passion for botany, publishing his most significant work, 'An Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus'. First published in folio editon (1770-1777), it attracted the enthusiastic endorsement of Linnaeus himself. The present octavo edition of this work was first published by Miller in 1779-1789. In the introduction, Miller, explained the reasons behind the new, more portable edition:

'‘[…] I have had numerous Applications, and very persuasive Arguments have been urged, by the real Lovers of the Science, for my publishing that Illustration in the present Form; which, besides the very moderate Price to recommend it to Students in general, being published in Octavo, was thought more convenient for the Pocket, when they were visiting the gardens, or ranging the Fields.'

Nissen 1374; B. Henrey 1155.

Condition

2 vols, 8vo, cont. green, straight-grain morocco, gt, double gt ruled border, gt. Rules to spine, aeg; some rubbing to extremities; spines slightly darkened; marbled endpapers; occasional foxing/spotting. Newspaper cutting from 'Gardeners' Chronicle' (March 1890) relating to the present work pasted to endpaper. Vol. I: Plate (i) bound facing page 1 and Plate 1 misbound facing page 101. Overall a very attractive set with an interesting provenance.

The gilt crest to the boards is of Walter Ramsden Fawkes (1769–1825), politician and art collector. He became the Whig MP for Yorkshire in 1806, while active in the anti-slavery movement, sharing a platform with William Wilberforce. One of Fawkes's closest friends was the painter J.M.W. Turner, their friendship based on their mutual interests in reforming politics and a fascination with the pattern of the landscape. Fawkes had a passion for natural history, and assembled an ‘Ornithological collection’—five volumes of plumage specimens and watercolour studies of birds, some by Turner (priv. coll.; Leeds Art Gallery; Ashmolean Museum, Oxford; Tate collection). He also wrote a four-volume Synopsis of Natural History (1823). (ODNB)

The second owner of the present book, identified by his book-plate, was William Leatham (1785–1842), a leading Banker in Wakefield, a Quaker and an abolitionist.

A later owner, his name inscribed on Leatham's book-plate, was Frederick William Burbidge (1847–1905), horticultural writer and explorer. He was employed at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, where he worked on making drawings of plants in the herbarium. Later, he was a staff writer for 'Garden', and also wrote for 'The Floral Magazine'. During this period he published a number of works including 'Cool Orchids and How to Grow Them' (1874) and 'Cultivated Plants, their Propagation and Improvement' (1877). These works drew much appreciation from contemporaries including Gladstone. In 1877 he was sent by the nursery firm James Veitch & Sons as a collector to Borneo. He also visited Johore, Brunei, and the Sulu Islands. He brought back many remarkable plants, especially pitcher plants. The chronicle of his journey was published in 1880 as 'The Gardens of the Sun, or, A Naturalist's Journal on the Mountains and in the Forests and Swamps of Borneo and the Sulu Archipelago'. Sir Joseph Hooker named the species Burbidgea nitida ‘in recognition of Burbidge's eminent services to horticulture. In 1879 Burbidge was appointed curator of the botanical gardens of Trinity College, Dublin, at Glasnevin, and in1894 he became keeper of the college park as well as curator of the botanical gardens. While at Dublin he published 'The Chrysanthemum: its History, Culture, Classification and Nomenclature' (1883) and 'The Book of the Scented Garden' (1905). (ODNB)

Also with the ownership inscription 'Samuel Reyner Holdsworth, Wakefield'. Holdsworth (1852-1889) was a surgeon.