Martyn, John | The Rous-Fitzwilliam-Hesketh copy of the first botanical book to be illustrated with color-printed plates

Martyn, John

Historia Plantarum Rariorum. London: Richard Reily, 1728[‒1737]

Folio (520 x 350mm), imprimatur leaf of Sir Hans Sloane as President of the Royal Society, title printed in red and black, mezzotint and woodcut headpieces, engraved and woodcut initials, 50 mezzotint plates printed in colors and finished by hand; without engraved dedication, this seemingly never present in this copy, a few plates with very light marginal spotting, plate facing p.44 with small stain. Contemporary tree calf; joints just starting, extremities lightly rubbed. 

First edition; the Rous-Fitzwilliam-Hesketh copy.

A fine copy of the first botanical book to be illustrated with color-printed plates, a pioneer work that led the way for the Society of Gardeners' Catalogus, Thornton's Temple of Flora (see lot 46), and the great French nineteenth-century color printing of Redouté (see lots 36 & 42) and others. The plates were engraved in mezzotint by Elisha Kirkall after paintings by Jacob van Huysum, R. Sartorius, and others. Most of the plates are printed in two colors, some in more. All are printed in a single pull. The color-printing produces a blurred effect due to the medium of mezzotint, but this is quite appropriate for hairy-leaved plants, producing a good general impression. The quality of the draughtsmanship is excellent. Each plate is dedicated to a patron-subscriber and has a coat of arms. The dedicatees include scientists, Cambridge colleges, doctors and horticulturalists such as Philip Miller (see lot 38). The work is devoted to new species growing in the Chelsea Physic Garden and the Cambridge Botanic Garden.

Martyn (1699-1768) was the founder of Britain's first botanical society. The success of this led to his lecturing at Cambridge and election to the Royal Society.

REFERENCE:

Cleveland Herbal 365; Dunthorne 194; Great Flower Books, p.67; Henrey 3:1016; Hunt 476; Nissen BBI 1289; Stafleu TL2 5563

PROVENANCE:

John Rous, 2nd Earl of Stradbroke (1794-1886), Henham Hall, Suffolk, (inkstamp with crest on fly leaf and engraved armorial bookplate) — Rt. Hon. Earl Fitzwilliam, Wentworth Woodhouse, Rotherham (Sotheby's London, 28 April 1948, lotted with another work £200) — Francis Edwards — Frederick, 2nd Lord Hesketh, (bookplate, his sale, Sotheby’s London, 7 December 2010, lot 15)