Plates Prepared Between the Years 1849 and 1859, to Accompany a Report on The Forest Trees of North America.
Washington: Smithsonian, 1891.
Illustrated with a complete set of 23 fine chromolithographic plates (2 folding) numbered 1-4, 8, 10, 20, 25, 27, 30, 31, 34, 35, 39, 40, 41, 46-50, 52, 63 - all that were issued. Title page is cropped at right edge, not effecting the text; 4 plates (4, 49, 50, 63) are dampstained at outer margins; 1 plate (31) has a severely cropped corner, but does not effect the image. The plates are otherwise very bright and clean. Thin folio, rebound in plain beige cloth with black leather label on cover (cloth is soiled). Washington: Smithsonian Institute, 1891. Very good.
Scarce. The stunning plates by Isaac Sprague show the leaves and flowers and seeds of various American trees. The plates were originally intended as part of the atlas volume of a larger work which, for a varaiety of reasons, was never fully realized. After sitting unused for decades, the plates which had alreday been prepared were published here for the first time. Nissen BBI 751.
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good
Language: English
Price: $6,500.00
Item #155639