Transactions of the Horticultural Society. Series I, Volumes I-VII & Series II, Volumes I-III.

fine coloured plates

A handsomely bound set of the first ten volumes of the Transactions of the Horticultural Society, a mixed set comprising second and third editions of the first three volumes and first editions of the remainder. Uncommon as a complete set, particularly in such fine, contemporary bindings. From the library of gardening broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh, with his bookplates.

These volumes contain, 'a number of fine plates, carefully coloured, some of very fine-grained aquatint, the fruit prints in particular comparing with the best of Hooker's work.. The book is full of much interesting and useful information' (Dunthorne 142).

The Horticultural Society, later the Royal Horticultural Society, was formed in 1804, and this publication includes all papers read at its meetings, starting with the first in April 1805. The early nineteenth century was a time of great interest in fruit cultivation and books thereon. Particularly popular, owing to the development of the greenhouse, were texts dealing with new exotics, such as apricots and nectarines, a subject well covered here.

10 volume mixed set comprising third editions of series I volumes I and II, second edition of series I, volume III, and first editions of the remaining volumes; 4to (17.5 x 21.75 cm); 175 plates of which 91 are hand-coloured and some folding, some spotting and offsetting to plates; contemporary green calf, spines elaborately gilt in compartments, double gilt fillets, brown morocco labels, buff endpapers, marbled edges; bindings a little rubbed and scuffed but overall an excellent set.

Dunthorne 142; Nissen 2387; Pritzel 10860; Great Flower Books (1990) p.160.