WITH 96 LOVELY HAND-COLORED PLATES OF FRUIT

BIVORT, Alexandre Joseph Désiré. Album de Pomologie. Brussels: Deprez-Parent, 1850-52. Two volumes (of four). Oblong quarto, contemporary three-quarter brown pebbled morocco rebacked with original spine laid down, raised bands, marbled endpapers and edges.

First edition of Volumes III and IV (of four), with 96 splendid, vividly hand-colored lithographs of fruit. Presentation copy from renowned American horticulturist Marshall P. Wilder, with inscription in his hand in both volumes. Only three of the eight recorded copies of Bivort are complete.

“Of great value… a wonderful record of the great number of fruits which were at this time being raised in Belgium” (E. A. Bunyard, Guide to Literature of Pomology). Published from 1847 through 1852, this extremely rare work was issued in four volumes with two frontispieces and a total of 191 hand-colored lithographic plates. The majority of these fine plates depict multiple varieties of apples and pears, though some grapes, cherries, berries and other fruits are represented. Only eight copies of Bivort are recorded, of which only three are reported complete (according to a census conducted by Sotheby’s in 1987). This set of two volumes contains 96 of Bivort’s magnificent plates, with added lithographic title pages by V. de Doneker (one tinted and hand-colored). Volume IV with an engraved portrait of Wilder tipped-in. Text in French.

Presentation inscription of Marshall Pinckney Wilder on half title of each volume: “John J. Thomas with the affectionate regards of Marshall P. Wilder.” “Wilder gave his first allegiance to agriculture. Changing his residence to Dorchester, a suburb of Boston, in 1832, he planted a nursery and began extensive experiments in horticulture which continued for more than 50 years. He developed many new and important varieties of flowers and fruits, including the famous “Wilder Rose,” and at one time had 900 varieties of pears growing in his garden… The Massachusetts Horticultural Society owed much to his counsel and leadership… Acting for this Society in 1848 Wilder issued a call for a convention of fruit growers in New York City, which resulted in the formation of the American Pomological Society” (DAB).

Plates clean and fine. An excellent copy of a scarce horticultural classic, with distinguished provenance.