(Roses)MALO, Charles.   HISTOIRE DES ROSES   Ornée de 12 planches en couleur, dessinee par P. Bessa.       Paris: Louis Janet, (ca.   1818).          First edition. This early work on roses is described by Lucia Tomasi as an "exquisite little volume" characteristic of the sentimental flower books of the Romantic period. "It is however the twelve plates designed by Pancrace Bessa (1772-c.1835)... that set apart this modest example of early nineteenth century French printing as a true work of art." (AN OAK SPRING FLORA pp. 300-302). Bessa was a student of Van Spaendonck and contemporary of Redouté (he actually assisted in the engraving of some plates for Redoute's LES ROSES). His plates for this work, engraved by Teillard, depict delicately colored sprays or informal bouquets of two roses within a simple engraved border. Malo's text covers the lore and symbolism of the rose in various historical periods, descriptions of rare and popular varieties, advice on cultivation, details of medicinal and cosmetic uses for the rose, including its role in the making of perfume, and then concludes with a selection of rose-related verse. Stock notes that the volume was issued for several years with calendars bound in, and it is probably on this basis that the original publication date has been ascribed. The present copy includes a calendar dated 1820.   12mo (13 x 9 cm); engraved title page with colored design of rose bush; iv + 240 pp. + (viii) pp. calendar + 12 stipple engraved plates printed in color and finished by hand.   Stock 1731; Dunthorne 36; Oak Spring Flora 79; Nissen 1266; Plesch pg. 324.          Contemporary diced calf with embossed floral design on upper and lower covers, gilt ruled borders; decorative gilt tooling in spine panels, raised bands, red leather lettering piece; marbled endpapers, a.e.g.; scattered foxing to text, plates minimally affected; remnants of bookplate on front paste down; some scuffing and edge wear to covers, but still a nice copy. $1,800.00

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