- 299
Cook, Captain James--Forster, Johann Reinhold and George
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- Characteres generum plantarum, quas in itinere ad insulas maris Australis, collegerunt, descripserunt, delinearunt. London: B. White, T. Cadell, & P. Elmsly, 1776
FIRST EDITION, LARGE AND THICK PAPER COPY, folio (455 x 270mm.), viii, iv (mis-paginated viii), 76, [ii]pp., 78 engraved plates, contemporary tree calf, gilt spine, green label, marbled endpapers, yellow edges, small piece torn away from corner of plate 67 not affecting image, a few plates slightly foxed, expertly rebacked retaining the original full gilt spine
Literature
Holmes 17b; Pritzel 2981 (erroneously calling for only 75 plates); Stafleu TL2 1826; cf. Hill (2004) 627; cf. Nissen BBI 644 (4to edition only)
Condition
A good copy
"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."
"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 VERY RARE FOLIO EDITION. According to Hill only eight copies of this first edition of Forster's important work on the plants of Australasia and Polynesia were printed on thick paper in folio format; no copies of this issue can be traced at auction (cf. lot 300 for the 4to edition).
Cook’s second voyage took the Forsters around the Cape of Good Hope to the South Pacific. This book is the first botanical work to be published from this voyage and “it is important to the history and science of botany, as it contains a large number of new generic and specific names relating to plants of Australasia and Polynesia. Indeed, it has been said to be the foundation of our knowledge of New Zealand, Antarctic, and Polynesian vegetation” (Hill).
Cook’s second voyage took the Forsters around the Cape of Good Hope to the South Pacific. This book is the first botanical work to be published from this voyage and “it is important to the history and science of botany, as it contains a large number of new generic and specific names relating to plants of Australasia and Polynesia. Indeed, it has been said to be the foundation of our knowledge of New Zealand, Antarctic, and Polynesian vegetation” (Hill).