London: P. Vaillant, and W. Mears and F. Clay, 1721. First English edition, translated, with additions, by Richard Bradley. "This was the first treatise on cuttings and graftings, and it made Agricola famous." (Hunt 452). Georg Andreas Agricola was a German doctor from Regensburg whose discoveries regarding plant propagation aroused significant interest at the beginning of the eighteenth century. In a book entitled NEU- UND NIE ERHÖRTER DOCH IN DER NATUR UND VERNUNFFT WOHLGEGEGRÜNDETER VERSUCH DER UNIVERSAL VERMEHRUNG ALLER BÄUME, STAUDEN UND BLUMEN-GEWÄCHSE (1716-1717) he first published details of his methods, including the use of a plaster he called "vegetable mummy," to refute exaggerated claims made about his discoveries by another writer. Bradley prepared this English translation and added to it his own preface as well as a translation of the preface from the French edition. The text is illustrated with copies of the plates from the original German edition. These plates depict examples of the regenerative process described by Agricola along with the grafting techniques, tools and structures employed in the various operations. In publishing Agricola's discoveries in England Bradley was doing what he seemed to do best: publicizing the latest horticultural advances and theories at a moment close to their inception. Hunt 452; Henrey 411 Royal 4to (27 x 22 cm); (xxiv) + 300 + (iv) pp. + 22 plates (some folding) with 34 engravings.

Paris: Flammarion, 1933. First edition. With compositions by Ruda; one of the early “Albums du Père Castor”, the artistically distinctive French children’s books directed by Paul Faucher, an enthusiastic follower of the Czeck pedagogue Frontiske Bakulé. The text provides instructions for transforming objects such as acorns, fruits, bark and twigs into small persons, animals and other familiar objects. There are twelve full page plates showing what school children constructed from branches, pine cones, beans, roots, etc. Ultimately, whole scenes were created including some from the fables of La Fontaine. The children reading the book are encouraged to make a voyage of discovery in nature and to use the powers of their imagination. A voyage of discovery in nature 28 x 24 cm; 28 p. with yellow printed boarders, including 12 full page plates of illustrations in color.

(France): ca. 1850s. An attractive and generally well preserved collection of 70 mounted botanical specimens collected in France during the mid-nineteenth century. Many, though not all, of the specimens are accompanied by hand-written descriptive labels, including a few with extended notes (in one case extending to several pages). Some specimens appear to have been collected in the region around Paris, while others (including a few tropical plants) appear to have been cultivated and collected in the herborist's own garden. They are, for the most part, reasonably preserved and attractively mounted., although because of their size, there is damage to some. Folios, 4 paper fascicles, approximately 45 x 32 cm., with a total of 70 mounted plant specimen sheets, folded in half to protect the specimens, with the mounted specimens on leaves measuring 45 x 30 cm.

Paris: Chez L'Auteur, 1800. First edition. Though not highly esteemed as a scientific botanist, Buc'hoz was an energetic naturalist and an indefatigable compiler of botanical fact who stands as one of the most prolific French writers on this subject during his day. The primary objectives in his most important works were comprehensiveness and utility. In the present volume he provides an annotated catalogue of all plants useful in ornamental gardening or for display in orangeries and greenhouses. Over a thousand different varieties are listed, nearly all of which are accompanied by commentary on their special qualities and use in gardens. The work is divided into two main parts: the first is a general listing of both domestic and exotic plants; the second confines itself to hardy plants native to the region around Paris. A final chapter is devoted specifically to plants useful in the creation of hedges and enclosures. 8vo (19.8 x 12 cm); 16 + 288 pp.