Jaume Saint-Hilaire | Plantes de la France, [1805]-1809, 4 volumes

JAUME SAINT-HILAIRE, JEAN HENRI
Plantes de la France. Paris: Printed for the Author, [1805]-1809

FIRST EDITION, 4 volumes, royal 8vo (249 x 153mm.), 400 colour-printed stipple engraved plates, errata, list of subscribers and index at end of volume 4, contemporary red half roan, marbled boards, marginal worming to beginning of volume 1, minor spotting, extremities very slightly worn

"Small but exquisitely delicate plates of pure colour printing" (Dunthorne). Saint-Hilaire's comprehensive work was published in parts over a long period of time, and there is no precise collation for the work. Jean Henri Jaume Saint-Hilaire (1772-1845) is one of the lesser known members of a group of post-revolutionary botanists that had at its heart such luminaries as L'Heritier, Ventenat, and most notably Pierre-Joseph Redouté. Despite the importance of this, his major work, recognition eluded him, and he spent much of his life on the fringes of poverty.

LITERATURE:
Great Flower Books p.105; Nissen BBI 989; Stafleu TL2 3306

Condition Report:
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.

We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE.