R. Sweet, 1825-1830

SWEET, Robert (1783-1835). Cistineae. The Natural Order of Cistus, or Rock-Rose. London: James Ridgway, 1825-1830.

First edition of Sweet’s exhaustive monograph on the cistaceae: a family of flowering shrubs much prized for their spectacular rose-like flowers. The present work is one of a number of practical manuals with very high quality plates produced by Sweet in this period; their contemporary success is an indication of the explosion of interest in the natural world in general, and gardening and botany in particular, during this period. Great Flower Booksp.141; Nissen BBI 1922; Stafleu & Cowan 13.546.

Octavo (235 x 142mm). 112 hand-colored plates engraved by Watts and Weddell after J. M. & W. Hart and Mrs. Brown (some offsetting of engravings onto text leaves). Contemporary burgundy russia with gilt-stamped borders, edges gilt (some surface wear at extremities and joints).