by SÉGUIER, Jean François
Title printed in red & black. 16, 450 pp.; 66 (i.e. 74) pp. Two parts in one vol. Large thick 4to, cont. vellum over boards. The Hague: J. Neaulme, 1740. First edition of this important early botanical bibliography. Divided into three sections, the first deals with floras, the second medical botany, and the third horticultural and agricultural works. "The bibliography includes not only books and other independent bibliographical productions, but also references to publications in the periodical literature... "The entries for the publications contain usually the title fully transcribed and in the original language, the place of publication, the publisher, the size...and sometimes a critical commentary and an indication of the location where he saw the book or found a reference to it. These statements of location are obviously of great importance because they will very often allow us at once to identify the library where the publications are presently located; an item of information of capital value for many of these rare books... "A further interesting and especially useful feature is again the provision of marginal notes giving relevant references to reviews, publication, comments or other secondary publications relevant to the main entry... "The coverage of the book is excellent."-Stafleu & Cowan 11624. In the second part, Séguier reprinted Montalbanus' botanical bibliography, first published in 1657 using the pseudonym "Bumaldus." It is the first general bibliography of botanical books (see Grolier Club, Bibliography, 60). A fine copy, interleaved throughout.
(Inventory #: 4909)
(917) 294-2678
