Very rare, complete set of a famous Dutch work on natural history, with 105 beautiful hand-coloured plates. The work is generally based on the 12th edition of Carl Linnaeus' Systema naturae (1767), but has been enlarged by the Dutch naturalist Maarten Houttuyn (1720-1798) to such an extent, that it cannot be considered a simple translation. Stafleu states that, compared to Linnaeus' work, it was printed "on better paper and with exquisitely hand-coloured plates".
The present work is a separate edition of the second part of Houttuyns monumental Natuurlyke historie. This work was divided into three main parts: zoology, botany, and minerals, which were published between 1761 and 1783 in 37 fascicles. The series was intended to spread knowledge to the general public, and enjoyed immediate success. The present work, devoted to botany, was the only part to be reissued independently, underscoring its enduring value and appeal to readers of the time.
The present volumes are illustrated with 105 folding copperplates, showing 275 plant species, divided according to the system proposed by Linnaeus in the 12th edition of his Systema. The taxonomic part in particular is extremely detailed and contains a wealth of information not to be found elsewhere. Although the Linnean system was strictly followed, the encyclopaedic work was compiled from a great variety of sources. It greatly influenced similar large natural history works in the vernacular in other countries, including Vollständiges Pflanzensystem (1777-1788) by G. F. Christmann and G. W. F. Panzer.
With a manuscript shelfmark label ("100") on the spines of volume 1 and 14, a red ownership stamp ("Ex libris J. Visser, Rotterdam") on the front board and title page of each volume. The wrappers on the spine are somewhat brittle and discoloured. The work is uncut and partly unopened, some of the leaves are very slightly foxed. Otherwise in good condition. Soulsby 73.2; Stafleu and Cowan 3081; cf. Hulth, p. 8 (other ed.); Landwehr, Coloured plates, 82 (other ed.); Nissen, BBI, 940 (other ed.); Pritzel 5404, note (other ed.); Stafleu, Linnaeus, pp.174-176; not in Hunt.