Pass, Crispin van de.

5 parts in one volume, oblong 4to (192 x 260mm.), engraved title, 4 printed sectional titles, 3 (only, of 4) engraved views of gardens, 2 allegorical plates, 159 (of 160) engraved plates of plants, contemporary calf, [Cleveland Collections 160; Hunt 199; Nissen BBI 1494; An Oak Spring Flora 12; Pritzel 6972], without 2 plates (see footnote), slight fraying and worming at beginning and end, some dampstaining at end, binding rebacked

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."

"Blunt calls this the most celebrated and influential of the early florilegia, and one of the finest" (Hunt), and An Oak Spring Flora considers it "the most popular florilegium ever published". The work was issued in a number of states between 1614 and 1617, and "it is almost impossible to find any two that are identical" (Oak Spring). This set with the Latin text appears to be an early issue of the engravings: the title of "Autumnus" is undated, the plates are numbered and all called for are present (except one garden-plate and the last in the "Pars altera"), with the first-state complements of 41 and 19 in the first two parts; in the "Pars altera", the title carries the "compraehenduntur" reading and the plates have no text on the versos.