Peter Bichsel   Fine Books

Bauhin, Johann u. Jo(hann) Heinrich Cherler. Historia plantarum universalis, nova et absolutissima cum consensu et dissensus circa eas. 40 parts in 3 vols.

With 3 engr. Titles by Conrad Meyer and over 3500 woodcuts in the text. Folio. Green half morocco over 6 raised bands with gilt-lettered spine-label. – Ebrodunum (Yverdon), n. pr., 1650–1651.

First edition. Important botanical compendium with descriptions and synonyms of 5226 plants. Thus the most extensive encyclopaedia of the European and also the Eastern and American flora of its period. Bauhin (1542–1613), who collaborated with Gesner, Fuchs, and Rondelet, was compiling this impressive work from 1600 to his death. It was published many years after by Johann Heinrich Cherler and financially supported by Franz Ludwig von Graffenried (1600–1661), baillif in Yverdon, Switzerland. „Bauhin’s ,Historia Plantarum’ may be regarded as a reconstruction of Gesner’s work, carrying on the latter’s humanistic learning and enthusiasm for exploration and description“ (DSB). – DSB 1, 525; Norman 141; Hunt 251; Nissen, BBI, 103; Stafleu-Cowan 368; Pritzel 504. – Old library stamp on all three printed titles. Modern bookplate on inner front board of vol. I. Boards repaired. Lacking blank leaves Ll6 of part II and L6 of part VII. But slight foxing in parts, especially on flyleaves. – Best.-Nr. 25372