Lot 304
  • 304

Mollet, André.

Estimate
1,500 - 2,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • The Garden of Pleasure, containing several draughts of gardens both embroyder'd-ground-works, knot-works of grass, as likewise in wildernesses, and others. London: T[homas] N[ewcomb] for John Martyn and Henry Herringham, 1670
first edition, folio (444 x 290mm.), dedication leaf, 26 engraved plates only (of 39), some folding, contemporary speckled calf, lacking 13 plates, the first plate worn and soiled at head, a few plates spotted or with tears, some dampstaining, one or two plates shaved, binding somewhat worn

Literature

Henrey 257; Wing M2392 (4 copies only)

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, 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."

Catalogue Note

a rare work, APBC recording only one copy, incomplete. Henrey has only seen two copies, one of which, at Cambridge, contains no plates at all.

"André Mollet was a member of a family of outstanding French gardeners... [His] designs show him to have been a gifted garden planner... The garden of pleasure appears to be an exceedingly rare work. It is possible that it was being prepared by the author at the time of his death [c.1665]. Later the manuscript and plates may have come into the hands of the English publishers... who decided to add a preface and publish the work without mentioning that Mollet was dead" (Henrey).