Elzeviers enlarged edition of the first work to provide detailed instructions for forming a collection of dried plants, including a catalogue of the specimens in the Botanical Garden of the University of Leiden, featuring plants from Brazil, Canada, and the Virginia colony. The present copy has been beautifully bound by the company of James Henderson and William Bisset in Edinburgh, which was established in 1823. Due to the high quality of their work, they were appointed bookbinders to the Queen in 1839, a position they held until 1892.
Adriaen van den Spiegel (1578-1625) was the son of an Antwerp surgeon. He studied medicine at Leiden before moving to Padua around 1600, where he remained until his death after a few years spent in Germany and elsewhere. The Isagoges, first composed in 1606 at the age of 28, is an introduction to botany that demonstrates Spiegels exceptional erudition and insight. While drawing on the authorities Dioscorides and Theophrastus, he attempted a novel system of plant classification, and his work was held in high regard by Linnaeus. The addition of Adolphus Vorstiuss catalogue (pp. 223-272) further enhances the value of this Elzevier edition, providing a rare record of American plants in a European botanical garden.
Printed in 24mo format, this edition is both compact and scholarly. Its importance lies not only in the practical instructions for herbarium preparation, but also in its status as an early introduction to botany and plant classification. Like all early editions, this Elzevier printing is very scarce. Alden and Landis note the particular interest of the catalogue for American botany, highlighting specimens designated as Brazilian, Canadian, or Virginian.
With the bookplate of John Hutchison D. D. mounted on the front pastedown, and the stamp of the bookbinder on the recto of the last free flyleaf in the back. The work has been rebacked, with the original spine laid down, the boards are slightly rubbed and scratched. The leaves are slightly browned. Otherwise in good condition. Alden & Landis 633/114; BMC NH, p. 1991; Kew Gardens on-line cat.; Linnean Soc., p. 725; Pritzel 8827; Rahir 377 & 378; STCN 832739332; USTC 1027888; Wellcome 6041; Willems, Les Elzevier, 391; cf. Hunt 184; not in JCB; Sabin.