ARDÈNE, Jean Paul Rome de.
Tractat von den Ranunkeln worinnen nebst andern physischen Wahrnehmungen auch zum Feldbau und zur Gärtnerey gehörige nützliche Anmerkungen vorkommen. Aus dem Französischen übersetzt von D.G.L.H.
Nuremberg, Gabriel Nicolaus Raspe, 1754. 8vo. With the title-page and the engraved frontispiece printed in red, and 6 folding engraved plates coloured by a contemporary hand. Later grey paper boards. [14], 460, [20] pp.
€ 1,750
First edition of the German translation of a book on ranunculi by the French priest and botanist Jean Paul Rome d'Ardène, translated into German by G.L. Huth. Ranunculus is a genus of toxic flowering plants, including buttercups, spearworts and water crowfoots. It is divided into two parts. The first (pp. 1-39) deals with the history of ranunculi, how they got their name and where they originated, and gives a description of the physical appearance of the plant. The second part (pp. 40-450) deals in great depth with its cultivation, commenting on the perfect soil, how and when to water them and place them in sunlight, how to get rid of aphids and plant diseases, etc., followed by descriptions of the folding engraved plates and an index. One plate depicts the roots of the ranunculus, the others show different types of flowers, all coloured by a contemporary hand.
A small hole in the frontispiece and title-page, a tear in 2 of the folding engraved plates, 1 slightly affecting the image, both restored, 2 plates slightly frayed along the margins, and some occasional minor foxing in the text leaves. Binding slightly rubbed and soiled. Overall in good condition. Cat. Lindley Libr., p. 10; Hunt 526 note; Nissen, BBI supplement 45nb; VD18 10529144.
Related Subjects: