Lot 315

Tenore, Michele.

Estimate

20,000 - 25,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

Flora Napolitana, ossia descrizione delle piante indigene del regno di Napoli, e delle più rare specie di piante esotiche coltivate ne' giardini. Naples: Stamperia Reale (vol. I), Tipografia del Giornale Enciclopedico (vol. II), Stamperia Francese (vols. III and IV) and Stamperia del Fibreno (vol. V), 1811-1838

first edition, 5 volumes, folio (445 x 313mm.), 250 stipple-engraved plates, printed in colours and finished by hand, twentieth-century brown half morocco over marbled boards, volume 3 lacking text leaf 3/2 (leaf 3/1 has been inserted twice), a few plates shaved affecting caption or image, occasional light spotting and browning, some dampstaining towards end of volume 4

Provenance

Bibliothèque du Sénat, Paris, library stamps on title, and annotations by librarian; J. Hennecart, stamps on half-titles

Literature

Great Flower Books, p.77; Nissen BBI 1939; Stafleu TL2 13901

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

the largest and finest work on neapolitan flora, and of great rarity. Strife in the Kingdom of Naples during the first half of the nineteenth century delayed completion of the work; consequently, complete copies are difficult to find. Stafleu and Cowan record only two copies, one of which is incomplete; ABPC records only one complete copy sold at auction.

The work was produced under the patronage of King Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies. It contains a description of the indigenous Neapolitan flora and some of the exotics cultivated in royal gardens of which Tenore was a director.

Two Appendices were published in 1823 and 1826, not present in this copy.