Beschreibung:

Robert Sweet (1783-1835) Cistineae. The natural order of Cistus, or Rock-rose; illustrated by coloured figures & descriptions of all the most distinct species, and the most prominent varieties... with the best directions for their cultivation and propagation . London: Tilling for James Ridgway, 1825-1830. 8° (240 x 149mm). 112 hand-coloured engraved plates by S. Watts or Weddell after J., M. or W. Hart or Mrs. Margaret Read Brown. Later nineteenth century light brown calf gilt by J. Clarke covers with triple-fillet border, spine in six compartments with raised bands, green morocco lettering-piece in the second, the third with red morocco disc onlaid onto green morocco onlay, both decorated in gilt, the other compartments with repeat decoration in gilt composed from stars and various floral motifs, gilt turn-ins, marbled endpapers, g.e., by J. Clarke FIRST EDITION OF THIS EXHAUSTIVE MONOGRAPH ON THE CISTACEAE: a family of flowering shrubs much prized for their spectacular rose-like flowers. The Rockrose family is widespread and occurs in Europe, West and Central Asia, North Africa, North and South America and the Cape Verde Islands. Sweet had published a number of botanical works before 1826 but after this date concentrated almost entirely on the written word to the exclusion of any further work as a practical gardener (his main source of income up until that date). The present work is one of a number of practical manuals with very high quality plates that Sweet produced in this period: their contemporary success being an indication of the explosion of interest in the natural world in general and gardening and botany in particular. Great Flower Books (1990) p.141; Nissen BBI 1922; Pritzel 9078; Stafleu & Cowan 13.546.