Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin

Oxalis monographia, iconibus illustrata. Vienna, 1794

FIRST EDITION, 4to (287 x 225mm.), 81 engraved plates (of which 75 are hand-coloured, as usual), foldinꦑg table, contemporary calf gilt with armoriꦅal stamps of Francis I of Austria on lower and upper boards, edges gilt 

EXQUISITE PLATES, VERY RARE. Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin, leading botanist of his day, "was the center of a flourishing circle of scientists and artists to whom he extended his patronage, and many handsome books owe their existence to his enthusiasm and enterprise" (Sitwell). The present edition is the only publication listed ♊in Nissen for Oxalis (wood sorrel), and thus is significant for the history of bot🅘any.

The text, a taওxonomic masterpiece, describes each part of every plant in minute detail. "JACQUIN WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THE YOUNGER CONTEMPORARIES OF LINNAEUS" and his "monumental floral works, containing colored illustrations by himself and by other artists using his models, are among the most beautiful of their kind" (DSB).

LITERATURE:

Dunthorne 155; Nissen BBI 977; Pritzel 4374; Sitwell pp. 36 and 105

PROVENANCE:

Probably Francis I of Austria (died 1835), F1 stamp; National Library of Vienna, sold duplicate stamp dated 15.1.1949 (for both Francis I ꦫof Austria F1 stamp and National Library of Vienna sold duplicate stamp, cf: Fairhaven Part I, Sotheby's, 18 May 2022, lot 111); Bernard Quaritch, marked "collated and complete" on rear endpaper