Michaux, François-André

The North American Sylva, or a Description of the Forest trees of the United States, Canada and Nova Scotia. Paris: Printed by C. d'Hautel [for the author and others], 1819

2 volumes, large 8vo (262 x 168 mm, uncut). Half-titles, 156 color-printed stipple-engraved pಌlates, finished by hand, mostly after Pancrace Bessa, Pierre-Joseph Redouté, and Henri-Joseph Redouté; plates 106 & 107; 143 & 144 inverted, occasional light spotting and offsetting, as usual, a few small edge tears. Publisher's paper-covered boards, flat backstrip gilt in compartments with green morroco lettering-pieces; covers rubbed, spines faded and a little worn with small skillful repairs. Housed in a green morocco-backed cloth clamshell case. 

First edition in English, expanded from the French edition of 1810-1813.

The plates of leaves, flowers and seeds are beautifully printed in colors and finished by hand after major French botanical artists, including Pierre-Joseph Redoute and Pancrace Bessa. The English translation and revision were accomplished by Augustus Hillhouse from Michaux's Histoire des Arbes forestiere de l'Amerique published in 1812. This new English🌞 edition has 156 plates against the French version with 138. 

"Most of the extra plates and text in the translated edition are explained by the inclusion of common European trees recommended as useful imports into suitable parts of America, though a few new American trees are added too, like the 'Yellow Wood of Tennessee and the Ohio Buckeye.' Michaux offered his readers 'an acquaintance with the properties of the American plants and with the uses of the forest trees' rather than 'the progress of botanical knowledge. and the embellishment of European gardens,' which had been the main aims of several earlier botanical explorers in America" (Oak Spring Sylva).

REFERENCE:

cf. Nissen BBI 1361 (3 vol. issue); Oak Spring Sylva 20; cf. Sabin 48694 (3 vol. issue, with note re: 2 vol. issue) ﷽;

PROVENANCE:

Christie’s Londo😼n, 19 Octo🌞ber 1999, lot 30 (undesignated consignor)