We found 106046 price guide item(s) matching your search

Bees.- Gedde (John) A New Discovery of an Excellent Method of Bee-Houses & Colonies, to free the Owners from the great charge and trouble that attends the Swarming of Bees..., first edition, with the initial blank, folding engraved plate (paper flaw hole to margin), some light marginal soiling and staining, several leaves slightly defective and/or repaired at lower outer corner (just touching border of title but not affecting text), modern cloth, old marbled wrappers bound in (rubbed & frayed at corner, laid down), [British Bee Books 48; Walker Catalogue p.28; Wing G443], 8vo, for the Author, and sold by D. Newman, 1675.⁂ Very rare first edition of Gedde's description of his bee hive, which he patented in 1675. ESTC records 3 UK locations (BL, National Library of Scotland & Bodleian) and 3 in America. No copy has apparently been sold on its own at auction.

Cotton (Charles) The Planters Manual: being Instructions for The Raising, Planting, and Cultivating all sorts of Fruit-Trees, first edition, additional engraved title, 2 leaves advertisements at end, headline trimmed close in places but no loss, early 20th century mottled calf, gilt, by Riviere & Son, g.e., joints slightly rubbed, [Wing C6388; Henrey 42; Hunt 337; Janson p.111], 8vo, Printed for Henry Brome, 1675.⁂ A charming copy of what is essentially a translation of Instructions pour les arbres fruictiers.

Blagrave (Joseph) The Epitome of the Art of Husbandry [and New Additions to the Art of Husbandry], 2 parts in 1 vol., engraved additional pictorial titles to both parts bound at front (title for the first part creased and frayed at outer margin), gatherings pulling and becoming loose, autograph recipes and notes in a contemporary hand to endpapers, hinges weak, contemporary calf, upper joint splitting, loss to spine, [Fussell pp.76-77], printed for Benjamin Billingsley, at the sign of the Printing-Press, in the piazza of the Royal Exchange, over against Popes-Head-Alley, in Corn-Hill, 1675; and a 1670 edition of the same, 8vo (2)⁂ Includes material on saffron, hops, liquorice, song birds and fruit trees.

Soil.- Evelyn (John) A Philosophical Discourse of Earth, Relating to the Culture and Improvement of it for Vegetation, and the Propagation of Plants, first edition, with initial imprimatur leaf but lacking final blank, light spotting, near contemporary black morocco with decorative gilt border and centrepieces, spine gilt with later red morocco labels, g.e., rubbed, [Keynes 93; Wing E3507], 8vo, for John Martyn, 1676.

Forestry.- Cook (Moses) The Manner of Raising, Ordering, and improving Forrest-Trees: also, How to Plant, Make and Keep Woods, Walks, Avenues, Lawns, Hedges, &c., first edition, 4 engraved plates, 4pp. contents/advertisement at end, very slight staining to upper edge, a few small spots, old manuscript book-label "The Earl of Westmoreland 1856" on front paste-down, contemporary sprinkled calf, rubbed, upper joint split, spine worn and with new label, [Fussell pp.39-40; Henrey 38; Kress 1407; Wing C6032], 4to, for Peter Parker, 1676.⁂ Cook was gardener to the Earl of Essex at Cassiobury Park (near Watford) and laid out many woodland walks and avenues including, reputedly, an avenue of 296 lime trees.

Xenophon. Xenophons treatise of householde, collation: A-H8, printed entirely in black letter except "To the reader" on title-verso in Roman, title within architectural woodcut border, woodcut initial, lower half of colophon leaf H8 cut away but no loss of text, [STC 26069], Imprinted at London in Flete-strete, by Thomas Berthelet printer to the kynges most noble grace, 1532; bound with Fitzherbert (John) The Boke of Husbandry, collation: A6 B-M8 N2, printed entirely in black letter, title within same woodcut architectural border as first work, woodcut initial, E4 torn with slight loss of text, I2 torn at inner margin just touching text, several leaves towards end with passages inked out and some early annotations/corrections, some light water-staining, [STC 10995.5], Imprinted at London in fletestrete in the house of Thomas Berthelet, nere to the condite at the sygne of Lucrece, [?1533], together 2 works in 1, stubs of a medieval manuscript on vellum at rear, early 17th century panelled calf, rubbed, small worm-hole to lower cover, extremities worn, 8vo⁂ Two rare early English agricultural books, the second printed 10 years after Pynson's first edition of 1523 and probably the first reprint issued by Berthelet. ESTC locates 4 copies of the first work, including this one; and 7 copies of the second work, again including this one. Auction records show infrequent appearances of both works on the market, but none as early as either of these.Provenance: Henry Hills (partially erased signature to front free endpaper); John Martin of Harbrough (inscription to front free endpaper with two dates, one partially obscured, the other 1700); Colonel & Mrs Forbes Leith of Whitehaugh (early 20th century bookplate). Other contemporary annotations to rear free endpaper crossed out and indecipherable.Rothamsted acquisition date 1930.

Forestry.- Cook (Moses) The Manner of Raising, Ordering, and improving Forrest-Trees..., 4 engraved plates, a few rust- spots, the Earl of Worcester's copy with old ink signature "Worcester" on front free endpaper and "H.Somerset" on front pastedown, contemporary mottled calf, upper cover with central gilt monogram surmounted by coronet, spine gilt, rubbed, head of spine worn, [Wing C6033], for Peter Parker, 1676 § Bacon (Sir Francis) Sylva Sylvarum, ninth edition, with engraved additional title but lacking portrait, pencil markings to margins, a few rust-spots, later calf, [Wing B331], by J.R. for William Lee, 1670 § Evelyn (John) Silva: or, a Discourse of Forest-Trees, The Fifth Edition, title in red and black, 2 engraved plates, illustrations, title torn and repaired, loose, slightly browned, later endpapers, contemporary calf, extensively rubbed, upper cover detached, red morocco gilt label on spine, folio, for J. Walthoe, J. Knapton and others, 1729; and 3 others, 4to & folio (6)⁂ The first is a reissue of the 1676 edition with cancel title and the addition of 'A Discovery of Subterranean Treasure' by Gabriel Plattes at end.

Sheep.- Clarke (George) A Treatise of Wool and Cattel, cropped affecting pagination throughout and first word of title, bookplate of Donald McDonald, later half calf, [Wing C444B; Kress 1455; Goldsmiths' 2203], Printed by J.C. for Will. Crook, 1677 § Smith (John) Chronicon Rusticum-Commerciale; or, Memoirs of Wool, 2 vol., half-title to vol.1 only, occasional foxing and browning, contemporary panelled calf, rebacked, [Kress 4871], 1747 § [Munn (John)] Observations on British Wool, modern sheep (!), slightly sunned, [Kress 4398], by H. Kent, for the Author, 1738 § Little (John) Practical Observations on the Improvement and Management of Mountain Sheep and Sheep Farms, first edition, uncut in original boards, covers bumped and slightly stained, spine torn, spine label slightly chipped, Edinburgh, 1815 § Bakewell (Robert) Observations on the Influence of Soil and Climate upon Wool, library morocco-backed cloth, head of spine chipped, 1808; and 16 others on Sheep and Wool, 8vo and 4to (20)

Bees.- Rusden (Moses) A Further Discovery of Bees. Treating of the Nature, Government, Generation & Preservation of the Bee..., first edition, engraved frontispiece and 3 folding plates, contemporary ink inscriptions to verso of frontispiece and to final leaf, a little browned, small paper flaw tear to lower margin of I7, F gathering becoming loose, contemporary mottled calf, rubbed, corners and spine ends worn, [British Bee Books 55; Walker Catalogue p.61; Wing R2313], 8vo, for the Author, 1679.⁂ An apothecary by trade Rusden was appointed "Beemaster to the King's most excellent Majesty" at the instigation of John Evelyn.

Grew (Nehemiah) The Anatomy of Plants, first collected edition, initial licence leaf (detached), 83 engraved plates, some double-page, one misbound, some light water-staining and soiling, contemporary calf, worn, covers detached, [Wing G1945; Henrey 162; Hunt 362; Nissen BBI 758], folio, Printed by W. Rawlins, for the Author, 1682.⁂ Grew and his contemporary Malpighi in Italy were the founders of the science of plant anatomy. Grew was the first to observe the sexual nature of plants and ascribe the male functions to the stamens.

Gardens.- Reid (John) The Scots Gard'ner in Two Parts...Whereunto is annexed The Gard'ners Kalendar. Published for the Climate of Scotland, 2 parts in 1, first edition, 4 woodcut plates, with the unsigned leaf p.125 ('The Conclusion Proposing Scotlands Improvement' & errata) at end of first part (not found in all copies), second part lacking B4 (final blank), woodcut title-devices and initials, paper flaw to D1 causing loss to a few letters, some foxing, a few small stains, contemporary sprinkled calf, rubbed, corners worn, rebacked, [British Bee Books 59; Henrey 328; Hunt 368; Wing R764], small 4to, Edinburgh, David Lindsay, 1683.⁂ A good copy of the first gardening book for Scottish gardeners, sometimes also regarded as the first Scottish cookery book as the second part includes recommendations of seasonal dishes and drinks. Reid (b.1656) was gardener to several estates including Hamilton Castle and Drummond Castle before emigrating in 1683 to a Scottish Quaker community in New Jersey where he became a wealthy farmer.

Schwerdt copy.- Crescentiis (Petrus de) Le bon Mesnager, first edition under this title, collation: *8 A-X6 AA-JJ LL6, printed in lettre batarde, double column, title in red and black with large grotesque initial, numerous woodcut initials, woodcut illustration on *2 of the publisher offering the book to Francois I, signed with the Lorraine cross of Geofroy Tory, another woodcut illustration on B4 of a man sowing, armorial woodcut on otherwise blank final leaf, later full crushed red morocco by Thierry sc. De Petit-Simier, spine with 5 raised bands and gilt lettering, g.e., inner gilt dentelles, folio (264 x 185mm.), Paris, Nicolas Cousteau for Galliot du Pre, 1533.⁂ The Schwerdt copy (with bookplate) of this important and handsomely printed edition.Rothamsted acquisition date 1939.Literature: Schwerdt I, p.127; Petit 639; Thibaud p.229.

Horses.- De Grey (Thomas) The Compleat Horse-Man, and Expert Ferrier, 2 parts in 1 vol., fifth edition, lacking initial blank, 19th century half calf, spine faded, [Wing D860], by J.R. and R. H., 1684 § Blunt (John) Practical Farriery; or, the Complete Directory, 38pp. advertisements at end, contemporary calf, some bowing, Dublin, Peter Hoey, 1773 § Gibson (William) Mr. Gibson's Short Practical Method of Cure for Horses, first edition, 10 engraved plates, contemporary calf, spine gilt, for A. Millar, 1755 § La Fosse (Etienne-Guillaume) Observations et Découvertes Faites sur des Chevaux, 3 engraved folding plates, Paris, Chez Houchereau, 1754 bound with Traité Sur le Véritable Siége de la Morve des Chevaux, 2 engraved folding plates, Paris, Chez David, 1744. together 2 works in 1 vol., contemporary calf, spine gilt; and 7 others, horses and farriery, 8vo (11)

Fens Drainage.- Moore (Sir Jonas) The History or Narrative of the Great Level of the Fenns, called Bedford Level, first edition, with initial leaf 'The Bookseller to the Reader', folding engraved map, some ink underlinings, lightly browned, a few small stains, map lightly stained and with short tear to edge, later calf, gilt, spine gilt, slightly rubbed, [Wing M2571], 8vo, for Moses Pitt, 1685.

Fruit-Trees.- [Venette (Nicolas)] The Art of Pruning Fruit-Trees..., first English edition, woodcut illustrations, 6pp. advertisements at end, near contemporary ink inscription to front free endpaper, engraved bookplate of Thomas Earl of Kinnoull, contemporary panelled calf, spine gilt, a little rubbed, split to joint, spine worn at head, [Henrey 1; Wing V187], 8vo, for Tho. Basset, 1685.⁂ Scarce work first published in French in 1683.

Winstanley (William) The Path-Way to Knowledge, According to those Undeniable Grounds and Axiomes Delivered by the Ancient Philosophers and Astronomers, Pythagoras, Aristotle, Haly, Albert, Philo Judæus, And Ptolomey. Shewing the Effects of the Planets, and Other Astronomical Constellations, with Several Other Weighty Matters Concerning Husbandry, Chyurgery, Medicines for Cattle, and Other Excellent Rarities, Both Pleasant and Profitable. Experienced by the 21 Years Study And Practice of Poor Robin a Well-Wisher to the Mathematicks, second edition, black letter, woodcut illustrations, minor worming to foot of inner margin, occasionally touching lettering, C6 with small portion of loss to upper corner, title and frontispiece from the fourth edition bound at front, 1 f. of tables bound at end, occasional browning, damp-staining to endpapers, 19th century ink inscription to title, ink ownership inscriptions, bookplate, 18th century calf, spine darkened, some splitting to joints, [Wing W3071C], 8vo, printed, and are to be sold by Joseph Collier, at the Bible upon London-Bridge, 1685.⁂ Rare, ESTC lists one copy only of this edition (University of California) and only one copy of the first edition (Oxford University All Souls). Includes sections on the signs of the zodiac, physiognomy, medical recipes, and predicting the weather as well as "How to know whether a young Wench hath lost her Maiden-head, or no", "To make they Chamber appear as if it were full of Snakes and Addars" and "To turn Water into Wine".Provenance: Job Lousley; Hugh W. Diamond (ink ownership inscriptions); E. F Bosa Mouet (bookplate).

Fitzherbert (John) The Boke of Husbandry, collation: A6, B-M8, N4, (lacking final 2 leaves, both blank), printed almost entirely in black letter, a few ink annotations to text and to front free endpaper, title within architectural woodcut border, early 20th century turquoise crushed morocco, gilt, by Holloway, g.e., inner gilt dentelles, [STC 10995.7; Fussell I, 1], 8vo, Imprynted at London in fletestrete, in the hous of Thomas Berthelet, nere to the condite at the signe of Lucrece, [?1534].⁂ An early edition of the first book on farming printed in England. William Lambarde's copy with his and subsequent family members' signatures to title. Lambarde (1536-1601) antiquary, lawyer and author of Perambulation of Kent (1570), generally recognised as the first work of British topography. Fitzherbert's work is partly based on the text of Hosbondrye by Walter of Henley (see lot 1), which Lambarde translated into English in 1577. This translation is preserved in a notebook compiled by Lambarde (Bodleian Library, MS Rawlinson B 471, fols. 16-38), and is evidence, together with his commonplace book drawn from Columella, Varro, Palladius, Crewcentiis and Henley himself (British Library, Add MS 20709), of his great interest in agriculture. Lambarde's version was first published in 1971 (D. Oschinski, Walter of Henley, Oxford 1971, pp. 307-343). This copy is further signed by his eldest son Multon Lambarde (1584-1634) dated 1608 and then Thomas Lambarde, 1635 and Thomas Lambarde junior, 1665. The Lambarde library "remained at Sevenoaks until 1924, when it was dispersed by sale and bequest" (ODNB). Seemingly the only copy known with this imprint (ESTC S92547 citing only this copy) with "hous" and "signe" in imprint (another, dated ?1533 has "house" and "sygne". Provenance: Rothamsted acquisition date 1920.

Charles Estienne's first children's book.- Estienne (Charles) De re horte[n]si libellus, collation: A-G8, title with woodcut printer's device, occasional spotting, library boards, Paris, Robert Estienne, 1535; and 3 others, by the same, 8vo (mentioned 155 x 97mm.) (4)⁂ Rare first edition. 'This is the first of Charles Etienne's children's books to be based on original information (instead of excerpts from De Baif), drawn from Charles's own great interest in botany.' (Schreiber). Provenance: first mentioned Rothamsted acquisition date 1919.Literature: Renouard, Estienne, 41:5; Schreiber 50

Gardens.- La Quintinye (Jean de) The Compleat Gard'ner: or, Directions for Cultivating and Right Ordering of Fruit Gardens and Kitchen-Gardens...to which is added His Treatise of Orange-Trees, wih the Raising of Melons, translated by John Evelyn, first English edition, engraved portrait frontispiece, title printed in red and black, 11 engraved plates, 2 folding, the others mostly of pruning guides and knives, and charming head-pieces of gardeners at Versailles etc., some engraved or woodcut illustrations, a little soiled with a few stains, folding plan of Versailles kitchen garden torn, engraved bookplates of John Kinloch of Killrie and Alfred Ashworth of Horsley Hall, Gresford, contemporary spirnkled calf, spine gilt, rubbed, slight wear to head of spine, hole to lower cover, [Henrey 218; Hunt 388; Wing L431], folio, for Matthew Gillyflower...James Partridge, 1693.

Scandinavia.- [Robinson (John)] An Account of Sweden, half-title, 18th century calf, joints starting, bookplates of 2 Lords Willoughby de Broke, [Wing R1690], Printed for Tim. Goodwin, 1694 § Molesworth (Robert, Viscount) An Account of Denmark, first edition, 18th century mottled calf, bookplate of Robert John Verney, Lord Willoughby de Broke, [Wing M2382A], 1694 § [Drevon (I.E.H.)] A Journey through Sweden..., uncut in contemporary calf-backed boards, worn, [c.1790], 8vo (3)

Fossils.- Woodward (John) An Essay Toward a Natural History of the Earth: and Terrestrial Bodies, especially Minerals, first edition initial imprimatur f., 2pp. advertisements at end, a good, clean copy, contemporary panelled calf, spine ends chipped, rubbed, [Wing W3510], 8vo, for Ric. Wilkin, 1695.⁂ Scarce. Woodward believed that the Earth had originally been submerged under a universal deluge suspending stones, minerals and animals, which then subsided into a stratigraphic succession dependent on the gravity of the individual components. His work, despite its flaws, helped to create a wider interest in fossils and earth sciences.

Fruit-Trees.- Langford (Thomas) Plain and Full Instructions to raise all sorts of Fruit-Trees That Propser in England, second edition, 2 engraved plates, 1 with folding key (tear at fold, plate torn and repaired), 4pp. advertisements, lacking final advertisement f., ink ownership inscription to title and front free endpaper, contemporary panelled calf, [Henrey 216; Wing L389], 8vo, Printed for Richard Chiswell at the Rose and Crown in St.Paul's Church-Yard, 1696. ⁂ John Evelyn praises this work in a one-page letter printed after the 'To the Reader', in which he states that he knows 'of nothing extant which exceeds it'. The second edition adds for the first time a section headed 'Of Greens and green-houses in general' and 'A Catalogue of Choice Fruits...greens and blossoming shrubs: to be had at Brompton Park, near Kensington'. Includes the making of cider, perry and liquors.Provenance: E. Dawson (ink ownership inscription).

Meager (Leonard) The Mystery of Husbandry: or, Arable, Pasture and Wood-land Improved, first edition, first issue, folding engraved frontispiece (bound after A6 and with short closed tear at foot), 7pp. advertisements at end, light browning, shaved at head just touching running title with occasional loss, bookplate, contemporary calf, joints splitting but holding firm, [Fussell p.77-79; Henrey 246; McDonald pp.148-151; Perkins 1177 (lacking frontispiece); Wing M1573A], 12mo, Printed by W. Onley, for Henry Nelme, at the Leg and Star in Cornhill, 1697. ⁂ Meager was gardener to Sir Philip Hollman, at Warkworth in Northamptonshire.Provenance: Donald McDonald (bookplate).

Crescentiis (Petrus de) Ruralia commoda, first edition, collation: [a-s10 t12 v-x10], 210 leaves (of 212, lacking the two last blanks, with blank leaf x8 present), text in single column, 35 lines, type 1:117G, fine 8-line penwork initial in blue and red, each book opened by a penwork initial in green and red, with extension, numerous initials painted in red in text, many with extension in preliminary leaves, rubricated throughout, copiously annotated in three different hands, the earliest annotating German names of plants and fruits quoted in the work, upper margin of first leaf partially restored, not affecting text but slightly encroaching on wisps of the red extension to initial, occasional finger-soiling and light foxing, a couple of minor marginal repairs or restorations, generally crisp and clean with wide margins, 19th-century red morocco, executed and signed by the Milanese binder Binda for the Marquis Girolamo d'Adda, covers within borders of blind fillets and friezes, d'Adda coat of arms in blind at centre of both covers, spine with 5 raised bands, compartments decorated with blind fleur-de-lys, title and imprint lettered in gilt, marbled pastedowns and flyleaves, inner gilt dentelles, marbled and gilt edges, folio (292x208 mm.), [Augsburg], Johann Schuessler, about 16 February 1471.⁂ A superb copy, with a highly distinguished provenance, of the first edition of Crescenzi's Opus ruralium commodorum [The Advantages of Country-Living], the first printed book on agriculture. The Bolognese nobleman Pietro de' Crescenzi, a retired lawyer and himself a country landowner living at Villa d'Olmo near Bologna, composed his treatise between 1304 and 1309. Following the tradition of ancient Roman agricultural writers, he wrote in Latin, and divided the work into 12 sections, each of which is devoted to a specific topic. The work is considered the most important source on agricultural practices, husbandry and horticulture in the Middle Ages, and includes hunting, fishing, wine-making, the use of medicinal plants, animal diseases, and a montly calendar of duties and tasks. The Ruralia commoda enjoyed a lasting popularity during the Renaissance and was frequently reprinted in the 15th and 16th century, translated into vernacular languages, such as Italian (see lots 6 and 12), French and German, and supplemented with woodcuts (see lot 13). Like the earlier manuscripts circulating, the first edition of 1471, issued by Johann Schüssler, the second printer active in Augsburg, after Gunther Zainer, is not illustrated. The work was widely used as a practical handbook, as early annotations frequently found in copies show, as here. "The contents of Crescenzi's book provided anyone who worked on the land with a well-organized manual of procedure" (F. J. Anderson, An Illustrated History of the Herbals, New York 1997, p. 67).The Rothamsted copy is very fine and was once owned by one of the most refined Italian collectors, the Milanese marchese Girolamo d'Adda - the morocco binding bearing his arms. Later the book found its way to England and into the library of another great name in book collecting, Charles Fairfax Murray, who had acquired d'Adda's library en bloc. Provenance: lower margin of recto of final leaf with ownership inscription in a German hand dated 1780 ('Ex libris ... à Felsenheim die 21 [?] 1780'); Marquis Girolamo d'Adda (1815-1881); Charles Fairfax Murray (1849-1919; see Catalogue of a Magnificent Collection of Rare Early printed German Books... Forming the First Portion of the Library of C. Fairfax Murray, Esq. : ... sold by auction by Messrs. Christie, Manson & Woods, London 1917, lot 136, "The Marquis D'Adda's copy"). Rothamsted acquisition date 1923. Literature: ISTC ic00965000; HC 5828*; GW 7820; ; BMC II 328; Bod-inc C-477; IGI VI 3260-A; Goff C-965; Klebs 310.6; Stillwell 615; B.IN.G 578; Simon Bibliotheca Bacchica 1.32.

S. (A.) The Husbandman, Farmer and Grasier's Compleat Instructor, first edition, engraved folding frontispiece, worming to signatures A, B & H with some loss to text, occasional browning and damp-staining, bookplate, 18th century tree calf, rebacked, corners repaired, [Fussell p.89; Wing S7], 12mo, Printed for Henry Nelme, at the Leg and Star, over-against the Royal Exchange in Cornhil, 1697.⁂ Rare at auction in any condition. Deals with buying, selling and fattening cattle and with their diseases and cure.Provenance: Donald McDonald (bookplate).

Fruit-Trees.- Fatio de Duillier (Nicolas) Fruit-Walls Improved, by Inclining them to the Horizon: or, a Way to Build Walls for Fruit-Trees; Whereby they May Receive More Sun Shine, and Heat, than Ordinary, first edition, engraved frontispiece by Gribelin, engraved device to title, head- & tail-pieces, initials and 2 folding plates by Gribelin, with imprimatur on verso of title and errata/advertisement leaf at end of preliminaries, lightly foxed and browned, contemporary sprinkled calf, gilt, spine gilt with red roan label, rubbed, a few scuffs, [Wing F557], 4to, by R. Everingham; and are to be sold by John Taylor..., 1699. ⁂ Nicolas Fatio de Duillier was a Swiss mathematician known for his work on the Zodiacal light problem and for his close working relationship with Sir Isaac Newton. In 1699 he suggested increasing fruit-tree and vine productivity by using sloping walls and later a tracking mechanism which could pivot to follow the sun.

Tea.- Ovington (John) An Essay upon the Nature and Qualities of Tea, Wherein are shown, I. The soil and climate where it grows. II. The various kinds of it. III. The rules for chusing what is best. IV. The means of preserving it. V. The several virtues for which it is fam'd, first edition, engraved folding frontispiece (repaired and laid down), very light damp-staining to margin, contemporary half calf, gilt, [Henrey 277; Wing 0700], 8vo, for R. Roberts, 1699.⁂ Ovington's encomium on tea that extols its ability to among other cure "Gout and Stone" among other ailments. It was later satirised in John Waldron's Satyr Against Tea.

Hertfordshire.- Chauncy (Henry) The Historical Antiquities of Hertfordshire, first edition, title printed in red and black, engraved portrait of the author, engraved folding map by Moll, 44 engraved views, towns and plans by Jan Darpentier and others (39 double-page), 6 extra plates inserted, Directions to the binder bound at end, some browning, bound in later calf, gilt, by H. Faulkner of The Strand, corners bumped, upper cover detached, g.e., Ben. Griffin, [and others], 1700 § Cussans (John Edwin) History of Hertfordshire, 3 vols., 22 plates (18 chromolithographed), double-page hand-coloured lithographed map, half-titles, some spotting and browning, t.e.g., contemporary half morocco, gilt, slightly rubbed and scuffed, folio, 1870-73; and 2 others, including Salmon's History of Hertfordshire,1728, folio and 8vo (6).

Liger (Louis) Oeconomie Generale de la Campagne, ou Nouvelle Maison Rustique, 2 vol., first edition, titles in red and black with engraved vignette, woodcut illustrations, contemporary calf, spines gilt, foot of spines repaired, [Schwerdt I, p.316; Vicaire 520], 4to, Paris, Chez Charles de Sercy, 1700.⁂ The Schwerdt copy (with bookplate) of this widely popular and successful work, covering all matters rustic and many domestic. As well as extensive coverage of vines, wines and viticulture and cider-making, there are also chapters on bees, ponds, rivers, orchards, forestry, much on cookery - meats, poultry, vegetables, jams, preserves and patisserie - and 9 chapters on hunting.

Nourse (Timothy) Campania Foelix, Or, A discourse of the Benefits and Improvements of Husbandry: containing directions for all manner of Tillage, Pasturage, and Plantation; as also for the making of Cyder and Perry, first edition, engraved frontispiece, 6pp. advertisements, occasional browning, bookplate, contemporary panelled calf, upper cover detached, spine ends chipped, [Fussell p.85; McDonald pp.144-147], 8vo, Printed for Tho.Bennet, at the Half-Moon in St.Paul's Church-yard, 1700 § De Re Rustica; or, the Repository for Select Papers on Agriculture, Arts, and Manufactures, 2 vol., 2 engraved plates, 1 folding, contemporary calf-backed boards, new spine labels, rubbed, for R.Davis, 1769-70; and 6 others, agriculture, 8vo (9)

Gardens.- Oosten (Henrik van) The Dutch Gardener; or, the Compleat Florist, first English edition, engraved frontispiece and 2 plates, browned, some spotting, contemporary panelled calf, spine gilt with green morocco label, rubbed, splits to joints, spine worn at head, [Henrey 1197; Hunt 406], for D. Midwinter and T. Leigh, 1703; and a copy of the second English edition of 1711, 8vo (2)⁂ Scarce first edition of a popular work on horticulture by the nurseryman at Leiden, including sections on fruit trees, bulbs, and particularly the manuring of tulips.

Wine.- Estienne (Charles) Vinetum. In quo varia vitium, uvarum, vinorum, antiqua, latina, vulgariaque nomina; item ea quae ad vitium confitionem ac culturam ab antiquis rei rusticae scriptoribus expressa sunt, collation: a-l8, woodcut printer's device to title, errata f. at end, modern calf, spine gilt, 8vo (169 x 105mm.), Paris, François Estienne, 1537.⁂ The rare first edition of this treatise on wine, which includes an extensive listing of French growths, along with their names in Latin and French, and indices of French and Latin viticulture terms.Provenance: Rothamsted acquisition date not noted.Literature: Bitting p.146; Cagle Simon, BB II, 233; Simon BG 603; Vicaire 343; Adams S1747; Renouard, Estienne, 97:2; Schreiber 116.

Scotland.- Martin (Martin) A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland, first edition, folding engraved map, folding engraved plate, both torn, contemporary panelled calf, rubbed and scuffed, spine worn and slightly defective, for Andrew Bell, 1703 § Headrick (Rev. James) View of the Mineralogy, Agriculture, Manufactures and Fisheries of the Island of Arran, folding engraved map, 24pp. catalogue at end, original boards, uncut, worn, Edinburgh, 1807 § Anderson (James) An Account of the Present State of the Hebrides and Western Coasts of Scotland, presentation copy from the author to Lord Stormont inscribed on half-title, folding engraved map, engraved plate, folding table, cropped, library cloth, Edinburgh, 1785 § Walker (John) An Economical History of the Hebrides and Highlands of Scotland, 2 vol., modern cloth-backed boards, Edinburgh, 1808, first editions, 8vo (5)

Dictionarium Rusticum & Urbanicum: or, a Dictionary of all Sorts of Country Affairs, Handicraft, Trading, and Merchandizing, double column, woodcut illustrations, occasional browning, worming towards end affecting some text, contemporary panelled calf, upper cover detached, [British Bee Books 71; Fussell pp.95-96; Goldsmiths' 4047; Perkins 408; Schwerdt I p.50], 8vo, for A. and J. Churchill , 1704.⁂ A re-issue of the first edition of the same year with a new title-page. The work is one of the earliest attempts at a comprehensive country dictionary, variously attributed to Nathan Bailey and John Worlidge. 'A Catalogue of Some of the Books made use of in this work' lists around 60 books on agriculture, gardening, forestry and animal husandry. Included in the main work are entries on fruit-trees, birds, horses, hunting and hawking, fishing, bees, the making of wines and other liquors, gunpowder and the manufacturing in the various counties of England.

Vallemont (Abbe de) Curiositez de la Nature et de l'Art sur la Vegetation, engraved frontispiece and 12 plates, engraved coat of arms at head of dedication, contemporary calf, spine gilt, spine ends worn, Paris, 1705 § Bertrand (J.) De l'Eau relativement a l'Economie Rustique, ou Traite de l'Irrigation des Pres, half-title, 7 engraved plates, marginal browning, contemporary calf, upper cover detached. Avignon & Lyon, 1764 § Turbilly (Marquis de) Memoire sur les Defrichemens, first edition, woodcut frontispiece, engraved plate at end, modern cloth, Paris, 1760 § Rosny (M. de) Le Parfait Oeconome, contemporary calf, extremities worn, Paris, 1710 § [La Salle de l'Etang (S.P. de)] Prairies Artificielles, second edition, some foxing, contemprary calf, Brussels and Paris, 1758; and 7 others, French agriculture, 8vo and 12mo (12)

S[peed] (A[dolphus]) The Husbandman's Instructor or Countryman's Guide, first and only edition, woodcut frontispiece with advertisements verso, browning, 19th century cloth, browned and stained, [Perkins 1516; Schwerdt II, 171], 12mo, Printed, and sold by A. Conyers at the Ring in Little-Britain, [?1707]

Surveying.- Benese (Richard) This boke sheweth the maner of measurynge of all maner of lande, as well of woodlande, as of lande in the felde, first edition, collation: +4 A-Y4 2A-2C4, entirely printed in lack letter, title within woodcut architectural border, woodcut diagrams, many partly highlighted with red, a few ink annotations, occasional minor soiling, modern calf, [STC 1873], small 4to, Prynted in Southwarke in Saynt Thomas hospitall, by me James Nicolson, 1537.⁂ A fine and complete copy of the first edition of the second English book on surveying, which seldom appears at auction. Benese (d.1546) was the last prior of the Augustinian monastery at Merton, south London.Provenance: Rothamsted acquisition date 1932.

[Fleetwood (William, Bishop)] Chronicon Preciosum: Or, an Account of English Money, the Price of Corn, and Other Commodities, for the last 600 Years, first edition, Peter Le Neve's copy with his ink signature, inscription "Norroy" and title correction, 5pp. advertisements at end, title and all to D2 small wormhole in lower margins, slightly browned, later endpapers, later half calf, red morocco label, contemporary panelled calf, [Goldsmiths' 4403], Charles Harper, 1707; and 2 others, 1 a duplicate of first mentioned, 8vo & 4to (3).⁂ The first is notable for being the first major attempt at an historical survey of prices, wages and incomes.Peter Le Neve (1661-1729), herald and antiquary.

Mortimer (John) The Whole Art of Husbandry, Or, The Way of Managing and Improving of Land, 2 vol., first edition, a few woodcut illustrations to vol.1, some foxing and browning, some worming to lower margin of vol.2, contemporary calf (not uniform), joints cracked, some wear, [Fussell I, pp.96-98], by J.H. for H. Mortlock...and J. Robinson, 1707-12.⁂ Unusual to find both volumes together in first edition. "In his own day Mortimer achieved the honour of being translated into Swedish, a rather unusual language for an English book of husbandry to achieve then." (Fussell).

[North (The Hon. Roger)] A Discourse of Fish and Fish-Ponds, first edition, 1 p. advertisements at end, occasional browning, ink inscription to front free endpaper, bookplate, contemporary calf, joints splitting at head, spine chipped at head, [W&S p.157; Kress 2864], 8vo, Printed for E. Curll at the Dial and Bible, 1713. ⁂ A good copy of the first edition of an important early work on fish culture.Provenance: Earl of Minto (bookplate with title and shelfmark).

Scotland.- [Hamilton (John, Lord Belhaven and Stenton)] The Country-man's Rudiments: or, An Advice to the Farmers in East-Lothian how to Labour and Improve their Ground, title with woodcut of gentleman, lacking A1 (blank but for catchword 'A'), browned and soiled, some leaves frayed at edges with slight loss (repaired), final leaf laid down, modern calf-backed boards, by the Heirs and Successors of Andrew Anderson, 1713 § Letter (A) to the Edinburgh Society concerning the Method of Managing Outfield Ground. By a Farmer, 20pp., first and last leaves soiled, some spotting, library cloth, 1763 § Coventry (Andrew) Notes on the Culture and Cropping of Arable Land, presentation copy from the author to Prof. Leslie inscribed on half-title, errata pasted in, some browning, sab-holes, contemporary half calf, 1811; Remarks on Live Stock and Relative Subjects, presentation copy from the author inscribed on verso of title (slightly showing through), modern cloth, 1806, all but the first first editions, Edinburgh; and another by Coventry, 8vo (5)⁂ The first was originally published in 1699 but all editions are rare, of this edition ESTC lists 2 locations only (National Library of Scotland and Bodleian, none in America); of the second item there are 3 copies only on ESTC (BL, National Library of Scotland and this one, again none in America).

Liger (Louis) Le Nouveau Theatre d'Agriculture et Menage des Champs, first edition, title in red and black, 29 engraved plates, engraved musical notation relating to the horn in hunting, woodcut illustrations, some light browning, contemporary calf, gilt arms of Boyer de Cremilles on covers, spine gilt in compartments, ends repaired, [Schwerdt I, p.316], 4to, Paris, Chez Damien Beugnie, 1713.⁂ The Schwerdt copy (with bookplate).

Bees.- [?La Caille (Jean de)] Traité des Mouches a Miel..., augmentée de plusieurs Avis touchant les Vers-à-Soye, 2 full-page woodcut illustrations (printed back to back), a few spots, contemporary sprinkled calf, spine gilt, lacking label, upper joint split, corners and spine ends worn & chipped, [cf.Walker Catalogue p.101], 8vo, Paris, Claude Prudhomme, 1714.⁂ Sometimes attributed to La Caille who published the first edition of 1690, a second edition was issued in 1698 with the addition of the section on silk-worms. All editions are rare.

Bibliography.- Scheuchzer (Johann Jakob) Bibliotheca scriptorum historiae naturali omnium terrae regionum inservientum. Historiae naturalis Helvetiae prodomus, some spotting or light foxing, library morocco-backed buckram, 8vo, Zurich, Heinrich Bodmer, 1716.⁂ Rare first edition of this bibliography of natural history books, including those relating to America and Asia, and subjects including chocolate, geology, and fruit trees.

Gardens.- Laurence (John) The Clergy-Man's Recreation: shewing the Pleasure and Profit of the Art of Gardening, fifth edition, engraved frontispiece (shaved at fore-edge), for Bernard Lintott, 1717; The Gentleman's Recreation: or the Second Part of the Art of Gardening Improved. Containing...Curious Observations relating to Fruit-Trees: Particularly, A New Method of Building Walls with Horizontal Shelters, second edition, engraved frontispiece and 3 folding engraved plates, for Bernard Lintott, 1717 bound with Evelyn (Charles) The Lady's Recreation: or, the Third and Last part of the Art of Gardening Improv'd. Containing The Flower Garden..., first edition, engraved frontispiece, for J.Roberts, 1717, together 3 works in 1 vol., some light browning, hole to inner margin of first frontispiece, contemporary panelled calf § Laurence (John) The Fruit-Garden Kalendar, first edition, half-title, folding engraved frontispiece, without the dedication, browned, modern half calf, red morocco label, for Bernard Lintott, 1718, [Fussell pp.100-102; Henrey 937, 943, 699 & 939; Hunt 437, 438, 438 note & 440], 8vo (2)⁂ Laurence was rector of Yelvertoft in Northamptonshire. His gardening books are mostly devoted to fruit-growing.

Borro (Alessandro del) Dimostrazioni, e prove sopra l'Attivita`, ed uso vantaggioso del Gran Coltro, first edition, half-title, engraved frontispiece and 7 fine folding plates by Gaetano Bianchi, errata f., contemporary vellum, lightly soiled, [Moretti, Bib.Agraria p.84; Riccardi I, 170], 4to, Milan, Marc Antonio Pandolfo Malatesta, 1718.⁂ Scarce work on agricultural tools, and in particular a new style of plough. The work describes a series of experiments using the plough and is illustrated with striking plates of its constituent parts and of it in action being pushed by a peasant farmer.

Gardens.- Switzer (Stephen) Ichnographia Rustica: or, the Nobleman, Gentleman, and Gardener's Recreation, 3 vol., engraved frontispiece, titles in red and black, 52 engraved plates (as called for in Henrey but the number varies), many folding, some browning and soiling, sometimes heavy foxing, a few plates torn, tear to foot of P8 in vol.3, contemporary panelled calf, rubbed, joints cracked, spines worn at head, [Henrey 1411], 8vo, for D. Browne [& others], 1718.⁂ Scarce; first edition under this title, vol.1 was essentially a reissue of The Nobleman, Gentleman, and Gardener's Recreation of 1715.

Gli Statuti dell'Agricoltura..., first edition, engraved frontispiece in ornate frame by Filippo Vasconi, woodcut head-pieces and initials, engraved illustrations of locusts in text, some browning, Rome, Stamperia della R. C. A., 1718 § Albani (Giuseppe) Catastro delle Tenute dell'Agro Romano... sopra le relazione della Visita fattane da' Periti Agrimensori, engraved title vignette, errata leaf at end, light water-staining at beginning and end, Rome, Stamperia della Reverenda Camera Apostolica, 1783, contemporary vellum, a little rubbed and stained, label of the second chipped, 4to & folio (2)

Bees.- Gedde (John) The English Apiary: or, the Compleat Bee-Master..., first edition, engraved frontispiece, contemporary ink signature of Thos. Jackson at head of title, very browned, frontispiece trimmed close and with a couple of small tears at fore-edge and inner margin, contemporary roan-backed marbled boards, rubbed, spine chipped at head, [British Bee Books 81; Walker Catalogue p.22], 12mo, for E. Curll, W. Mears, and T. Corbet, 1721.⁂ Including 'A New Discovery of an Excellent Method of Bee-Houses and Colonies' with its own titlepage dated 1722.

Agricola (Georg Andreas) A Philosophical Treatise of Husbandry and Gardening, being a New Method of Cultivating and Increasing all sorts of Trees, Shrubs, and Flowers, edited by Richard Bradley, first edition in English, title printed in red and black, 22 engraved plates (13 double-page), woodcut head- & tail-pieces and initials, endpapers browned, bookplate, contemporary calf, gilt, new spine label, upper joint cracked but holding firm, spine ends and corners bumped,, rubbed and scuffed, [Fussell p.109; Henrey 411; Hunt p.74], 4to, for P.Vaillant...and W.Mears and F.Clay, 1721. ⁂ Concerning the propagation of plants by means of cutting and grafting.

Field Sports.- [Cox (Nicholas)] The Gentleman's Recreation, in Four Parts. Viz. Hunting, Hawking, Fowling, Fishing...whereto is added, a perfect Abstract of the Forest Laws..., sixth edition, engraved frontispiece and 4 plates, one large (torn and repaired), some soiling, later calf, gilt, by Lloyd, spine gilt, g.e., 1721 § Game Law (The): or, a Collection of the Laws and Statutes, 3pp. advertisements at end, G6 torn, contemporary sheep, a little worn, 1705; and a defective 1706 edition of the first, 8vo et infra (3)

Mineralogy.- Henckel (J.F.) Flora Saturnizans, Die Verwandschaft des Pflanzen mit dem Mineralreich, first edition, engraved frontispiece, title in red and black, 9 engraved plates, foxed and browned, contemporary half vellum, [Pritzel 3955; Hoover Coll. 399], 8vo, Leipzig, Johann Christian Martini, 1722.⁂ Important work by the founder of chemical mineralogy.

Honourable (The) Society of Improvers in the Knowledge of Agriculture in Scotland. A Treatise concerning the Manner of Fallowing Ground, Raising Grass-Seeds, and Training of Lint and Hemp for the Increase and Improvement of the Linnen-Manufactories in Scotland, first edition, 7 engraved plates, some folding, worm hole to head affecting some running titles, some plates a little frayed, bookplate, contemporary panelled calf, upper cover becoming detached, [Goldsmiths' 6278; Kress 3560], Edinburgh, Printed by Robert Fleming and Company, 1724.⁂ Variously attributed to Robert Maxwell, Richard Bradley, William McIntosh and Thomas Hope.Provenance: J. R P. Forrest (bookplate).

Hemp and flax.- Hall (Richard) Observations Made by Richard Hall, of the City of Dublin, Hemp and Flax Dresser; on the Methods Used in Holland, in Cultivating or Raising of Hemp and Flax. And Likewise, his remarks on Mr. Slator's Book, first edition, 1 engraved and 4 woodcut plates, woodcut title decoration, initial and head-piece, library cloth, Dublin, Geo. Grierson, 1724; and another on hemp and flax, 8vo & folio (2)

Gardens.- Switzer (Stephen) The Practical Fruit-Gardener, first edition, initial leaf with recommendations of the work by Laurence and Bradley, 3 folding engraved plates, 3pp. advertisements at end, occasional soiling, contemporary calf, worn, label defective, upper cover detached, [Fussell pp.118-121; Henrey 1413; Hunt 461], 8vo, for Tho. Woodward, 1724.

Scotland.- Honourable Society (The) of Improvers in the Knowledge of Agriculture in Scotland. A Treatise concerning the Manner of Fallowing of Ground, Raising of Grass-Seeds, and Training of Lint and Hemp for the Increase and Improvement of the Linnen-Manufactories in Scotland, first edition, 7 engraved plates, all but one folding, lightly foxed, contemporary panelled calf, a little worn, especially corners and spine ends, upper joint split, Edinburgh, by Robert Fleming and Company, 1724 § [Mackintosh (William)] An Essay on Ways and Means for Inclosing, Fallowing, Planting, &c. Scotland..., first edition, folding engraved plate (torn and repaired, some offsetting), slight worming to outer margin, contemporary calf, rubbed, rebacked, upper joint split, spine and upper corners worn, Edinburgh, printed and sold at Mr. Fairbairn's Shop..., 1729, [Fussell I pp.109-110; Goldsmiths' 6278 & 6648], 8vo (2)⁂ Both scarce. The first is variously attributed to Robert Maxwell, Richard Bradley, William Mackintosh and Thomas Hope; the Honourable Society of Improvers in the Knowledge of Agriculture in Scotland was the first agricultural society founded in Great Britain, in 1723, and it recommended the formation of local societies to find solutions to agricultural problems.

Bradley (Richard) A Survey of the Ancient Husbandry and Gardening Collected from Cato, Varro, Columella..., first edition, 2 folding engraved plates, a few ff. working loose, slightly browned throughout, contemporary calf, gilt, some surface wear, gilt panelled spine, rubbed, remains of red morocco label and library no. in gilt, rubbed, [Fussell p.106-113; Henrey 509; McDonald pp.170-176; Perkins 222], 8vo, Printed for B. Motte, at the Middle Temple Gate, Fleet Street, 1725. ⁂ Bradley was a Fellow of the Royal Society and in 1724 was elected the first Professor of Botany at Cambridge. Henrey says that he was "outstanding for his versatility".

Surveying.- Wyld (Samuel) The Practical Surveyor, or, the Art of Land-Measuring, Made Easy, first edition, engraved folding frontispiece and 5 plates, occasional browning, contemporary calf, sympathetically rebacked, J. Hooke & J. Sisson, 1725 § Davis (William) A Complete Treatise on Land Surveying, third edition, 7 engraved folding plates, contemporary tree calf, by H.D. Symonds, 1804; and 3 others, surveying, 8vo (5)

Chomel (Noel) Dictionaire Oeconomique: or The Family Dictionary, edited by R. Bradley, 2 vol., first edition in English, variant issue with titles not in red and black and slightly different imprint, double column, woodcut illustrations, 5K & 5L bound in wrong order, final leaf in each volume pasted down obscuring advertisements on verso but no loss of text, a good clean copy, contemporary calf, rubbed, spines a little worn, joints split, [Bitting pp.87-88; Cagle 602; Fussell I p.109; Kress 3591; Goldsmiths' 6345; Maclean p.27; Oxford p.57], folio, for D. Midwinter, at the Crowns in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1725. ⁂ With much on food & drink, including distillation; hunting and trapping; agriculture and gardening, including vines and fruit-trees; preserving; veterinary matters; and the manufacture of soaps and perfumes. Bradley has added material to the cookery section.

Wolffen (Christian) Entdeckung der wahren Ursache von der wunderbahren Vermehrung des Getrydes, 2 parts in 1, engraved frontispiece, modern cloth, Halle, 1725-19 § Mayer (Johann Friderich) Die Lehre vom Gyps, second edition, modern buckram, Anspach, 1769 § Frisch (J.L.) Beschreibung von allerley Insecten in Teutsch-Land, 13 parts in 1 vol., first title in red and black, 38 engraved plates only (of 40), contemporary calf-backed boards, lacking spine label, covers worn at edges, Berlin, 1730-38; and 34 others, German agriculture, 4to and 8vo (37)