Beschreibung:

SWEET, Robert (1783-1835). Geraniaceae. The Natural Order of Gerania . London: James Ridgway, 1820-1830. [ With the same author's: ] Cistineae. Or the natural order of Cistus, or Rock-Rose . London: James Ridgway, 1825-1830. [ And :] The Florist's Guide, and Cultivator's Directory . London: James Ridgway, 1827-1829. First editions of Sweet's highly decorative monographs on the Geranium and the Rock-Rose, together with his Florist's Guide. There is a note in Godman's hand tipped into the Cistineae that 'This copy was coloured in the finest manner by Mr Hart the artist who made the original drawings.' A horticulturalist, botanist and ornithologist, Sweet was born and raised in Devon, serving his apprenticeship under his half-brother James in the gardens at Ham Green, residence of Richard Bright. He was subsequently gardener to John Julius Angerstein at Woodlands. From 1810 until the mid-1820s he worked as a nurseryman at Stockwell, Fulham and Chelsea, being elected a fellow of the Linnean Society in 1812. After 1826 he devoted himself almost entirely to botanical publications. Great Flower Books (1990) pp.141-143; Nissen BBI 1922, 1925, 1926. 3 works in 8 volumes, octavo (245 x 150mm). Altogether 712 hand-coloured engraved plates by S. Watts after Edwin Dalton Smith and M. Hart, many heightened with gum arabic, (occasional very light unobtrusive spotting, light offsetting to a few text leaves). Slightly later uniform green morocco, spines elaborately gilt, gilt edges (extremities faintly rubbed). Provenance : Frederick du Cane Godman (bookplates, and note in his hand in the Cistineae ).