First and only edition of a treatise on the American Aloe (Agave Americana), with a very rare additional plate not present in any other copies of the work. This plate, drawn by Busch (who we have not been able to identify) shows the spectacular blooming American aloe from the gardens of Köpenick Palace, which was the largest American aloe in any royal garden at the time. It caused a sensation when it finally bloomed in 1712 after 44 years; even Tsar Peter the Great paid a visit to admire it. The present plate is not only one of the few contemporary images of the so-called "wunderaloe" (miracle aloe), but also one of the very few illustrations of any part of the Köpenick Palace gardens of the time.
The present work is a comprehensive study of the American aloe. It was written by the German physician and botanist Christoph Jacob Trew (1695-1769) after observing a blooming aloe in Nuremberg in 1726. His treatise offers explanations for the plant's unusual growth, as well as descriptions of its medicinal use. It is partly based on his own observations, but also compiles the findings of other studies on the plant. The work contains meteorological tables in which Trew attempts to forecast the natural conditions for growing ripe Aloe seeds, and an engraved plate with detailed illustrations of the flowers and seeds. The present copy also includes the final leaf with a note to page 8, which is not mentioned in the reference works.
Trew studied medicine at the University of Altdorf, graduating in 1717. He wrote his dissertation under the supervision of the surgeon and botanist Lorenz Heister (1683-1758). He became a physician in Nuremberg and also supervised the Hortus Medicus, the medical university garden. After thorougkly studying the plants with the help of students, he published several richly illustrated botanical works, including Hortus nitidissimis omnem per annuum superbiens floribus (1750-1786), Plantae selectae quarum imagines ad exemplaria Londini (1750-1773), and Plantae rariores quas maximam partem ipse in horte domestico colui (1763). He also had his own garden in which he was able to successfully cultivate many exotic plants, including 32 species of aloe.
The wrappers are scuffed, the spine shows traces of use, with two small tears that extend into the front and back wrapper. The work is slightly browned throughout, with an additional plate not present in other copies. Otherwise in good condition. Pritzel 9497 (does not record the final leaf or additional plate); Stafleu & Cowan 15.129 (does not record the final leaf or additional plate); VD18 11388935; WorldCat 889555595, 311430074 (24 copies, of which none with the additional plate).