Beschreibung:

SOWERBY, James (1757-1822) & Sir James Edward SMITH (1759-1828). English Botany. London: [1790]-1814, 1831-1834. 39 volumes in 20, including General Indexes to the thirty-six volumes , and Supplement vols.I-II only [of 5]), 8° (225 x 135mm). 2896 hand-coloured engraved plates bound with relevant text in classes according to the Linnaean system. (Bound without titles to 35 of the volumes or preliminary matter to 37 volumes, title of first volume of supplement torn, occasional light spotting.) Contemporary near-uniform tree calf gilt (spines worn). Provenance : William Mathew F.L.S., Pentlow Hall, Essex (armorial bookplate in all but supplemental vols.); J.C. & E.F.Ayton (inscription dated 1835). A fine set internally. A former owner (probably William Mathews has had his 36 volumes of the first edition re-ordered by class and then bound in 1818 or later (there is an 1818 watermark on the free endpapers), with volume breaks where appropriate, according to the Linnaean listing in the General indexes . The titles and any preliminary matter have been discarded as irrelevant, with the exceptions of the title to vol.XXXVI and the General indexes which are bound at the front of the first volume; the text to the indices are bound at the back of the 18th volume. The first two volumes of the supplement were then added, and bound to match. Sold, as a collection of plates, not subject to return. (18)