First edition of a description of rare plants in Italy and France by Paolo Boccone, beautifully illustrated with 52 engravings in the text, which show very fine and detailed views of plants, flowers, and herbs. The present work was printed at the Sheldonian Theatre only 4 years after its construction, and is one of the first publications of the Oxford University Press after it's relocation. The title page includes a view of the early Sheldonian Theatre.
Paolo Boccone (1633-1704) was born in Palermo and descended from a noble family. He developed an interest in Natural History and botany at a young age. He travelled in Western Europe and mainly collected rare plant specimens in Italy, Sicily, and Corsica. Through his travels he came in contact with many famous botanists such as William Sherard and Robert Morison, who persuaded him to publish this herbal. The manuscript was sent to Robert Morison by Charles Hatton, son of Lord Hatton and one of Morison's former pupils. Robert Morison had the last seven illustrations redrawn from dried specimens, because he considered them to be inaccurate. They were engraved at Hatton's expense.
Three issues of the present work are known. One with an extra line about the bookseller on the title page, one without this extra line, and one without both the extra line and the place of publication. The present copy is the second. Unlike other copies, Robert Morison's dedication to Charles Hatton has here been bound at the end.
With an ownership inscription on the title page, dated 1774, remnants of a label or bookplate on the first free flyleaf. The boards have been rubbed and scratched. The leaves are somewhat browned, the title page has strengthened and repaired at the inner margin. Otherwise in good condition. ESTC R6118; Nissen BBI 179; Pritzel 859; Stafleu p. 243; USTC 3091617; Wing B3385.