An exquisitely bound copy of Berlèse's monograph on the camellia with superb coloured engravings, from the celebrated Fairhaven Library.

Abbé Lorenzo Berlèse (1784-1863) was an Italian priest who became fascinated with the camellia plant upon his move to Paris, where he was to be a chaplain. Camellias captured the Western imagination when travellers to Japan and China would return with the so-called 'Japan rose'. It was named camellia by Carl Linneaus, and began to be cultivated successfully and in larger numbers toward the end of the eighteenth century.
Berlèse accumulated a significant collection of camellias over twenty years, eventually deciding to record them in the present monograph. J.J. Jung, a lesser known artist, engraved the plates in a striking style, affirming the strong influence of Redouté over botanical works of this period.

The Fairhaven Library was renowned for the excellence of its books, featuring the great classics of illustrated natural history in fine fresh condition.

First edition. 3 volumes, folio (35.7 x 25.9 cm.) 300 fine stipple-engraved plates, partially printed in colour and finished by hand, contemporary navy calf with gilt romantic style decoration, spines gilt in compartments, pink watered silk endpapers, occasional light spotting. a few plates lightly toned.

Nissen BBI 150; Dunthorne 30; Great Flower Books, p. 50