First and only edition of "the most important monograph devoted to the hyacinth" (Krelage) by the Frenchman Maximilien Henri, Marquis de Saint-Simon (1720-1799), who, although an amateur, had a surprisingly scientific approach. Here printed on heavy and large paper and with the plates printed on folding leaves, enabling the reader to view the plates while consulting the text at the same time. The existence of large paper copies seems to go unnoticed in the literature. The work includes a comprehensive list with "over two thousand named varieties, double and single, including those grown by George Voorhelm ... It appears to be the most important list for the century'' (Hunt).
With the engraved armorial bookplate of the French historian Édouard de Laplane (1774-1870). Without the occasionally included preliminary "discours", presenting the work to the Berlin Academy of Science. Some stains to the opening flyleaves and occasionally along the extremities throughout, but otherwise in very good condition. Binding slightly worn and with some restorations to the spine, otherwise good. Hunt 602; Krelage, pp. 612-615; Nissen, BBI 1718; STCN (7 copies, incl. 5 without the preliminary discours).