1894, 8vo, 358 pgs. Full bound in smooth, beautiful red leather, raised bands, gilt trim to board edges and interior edges, tan morocco title label on spine. Lovely marbled endpapers. Some black and white photo illustrations throughout. Binding solid, interior shows some foxing throughout, otherwise clean. Leather shows some light wear at head and tail of spine and bottom board edges, otherwise clean and soft. A very beautiful volume.
"4to, Complete Two Volume Set. Full bound in dark green pebbled cloth with gilt stamped titling on front board and spine. All 92 color plates are present, clean and bright. Light wear to cloth at spine edges and extremities, a touch of fraying at heads of spine and top corner tips. Books are solid and interiors are clean, very light toning to margins.
Botanica Magnifica features 250 stunning photographs representing--in the words of an ARTnews critic--rare or exotic plants and flowers "in large scale and exquisite detail, emerging from the shadows in a manner evocative of Old Master paintings."
The original edition of Botanica Magnifica, consisting of five lavishly hand-bound volumes, was limited to just ten copies, the first of which was recently donated to the Smithsonian Institution. The extra-large "double-elephant" format of that edition was chosen in homage to the famous double-elephant folio of The Birds of America, and indeed, Botanica Magnifica is one of the few works of natural history ever to rival Audubon's magnum opus in its scope and artistry. In praise of the double-elephant folio of Botanica Magnifica, the Smithsonian's Chairman of Botany attested, "Everyone who has seen the photographs...has been tremendously impressed with the power, scale, and depth of the work."
Now Singer's remarkable images are available to the public for the first time in this hardcover with slipcase, baby-elephant folio of Botanica Magnifica. This volume is organized into five alphabetically arranged sections, each introduced by a gatefold page that displays one extraordinary plant at a luxurious size. Each pictured plant is accompanied by a clear and accessible description of its botany, geography, folklore, history, and conservation.
Botanica Magnifica is one of the most impressive volumes of natural history ever published.
Reissue of the earlier Carnegie volumes. Full-bound in green cloth, lightly worn, with some rubbing/fading at the edges and especially at the spine extremities. Gilt titles to spine. Spines are somewhat tender, but holding-- the volumes are still quite sturdy overall, but have certainly been read.
Blue leather with a photographic plate and gilt titling on front cover and spine. Solid, beautiful binding, moire silk endpapers, gilt edges, and a gold ribbon book marker. The clean interior is also bright with an extensive photo documentation of Mount Everest, the history of its region and of the western fascination of its conquest. Leather has 4 or 5 tiny chips at tips, else near fine.
Dust Jacket : Very Good. 1st Edition.
No. 158 of a limited edition of 250. Signed by author, as well as by illustrator Christopher Smith.
1930, Small 4to, 242 pgs. Full bound in blue cloth, with gilt title on spine and with blind-stamped title on front board. Numerous black and white photographic plates. Cloth clean. Some light dust soil to block edges, but interior clean throughout. Jacket in good condition, with some dust soil and yellowing from age. Light chipping along jacket edges (1/4'' chips and 1/2'' closed tear at head of spine), 1/2'' open tear at head of front flap hinge, 1'' closed tear at foot of spine. A solid book with a very scarce dust jacket.
SELECTION OF THE ORIGINAL DRAWINGS AND WATERCOLORS USED IN THE MAKING OF BIRDS OF AMERICA ACCOMPANIED BY A CHOICE OF AUDOBON'S WRITINGS. 48 Exquisite prints in pristine condition on deckled edged sheets. Minor scuffs to box else near fine.
