“THE MOST WIDELY-USED BOOK ON ENGLISH WILD FLOWERS FOR HALF A CENTURY”

PRATT, Anne. The Flowering Plants, Grasses, Sedges, and Ferns of Great Britain, and Their Allies the Club Mosses, Horsetails, &c. London: Frederick Warne, 1899. Four volumes. Tall octavo, contemporary three-quarter black morocco gilt, raised bands, top edges gilt, uncut. $750.

Later edition, with 319 beautifully detailed chromolithographic plates after drawings by Anne Pratt.

First published in 1855 in five volumes, Pratt's Flowering Plants was "the most widely-used book on English wild flowers for half a century" (Sitwell & Blunt, 127). At the time, her 20 botanical books (of which this set is considered a fair compilation) constituted a major contribution to the advancement of flower study, especially among the general public. "Even today, Pratt's work continues to intrigue and excite collectors of botanical illustration" (Jack Kramer). With a second copy of Plate 2. Nissen 1562.

Plates lovely and fine, very mild toning and wear to spines, Volume III with inner paper hinges expertly reinforced. A n extremely good copy.