Floral Illustrations of the Seasons,

£3,000 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

delicate hand-colouring First and only edition of these fine floral plates, published in seven parts between 1829 and 1831. Roscoe, also known by her maiden name Margaret Lace, was an accomplished botanical artist who also illustrated her father-in-law William's work, Monandrian Plants of the Order Scitamineae. The delicate plates in the present volume were prepared by the master aquatintist Robert Havell. First edition; 4to (28.5 x 22.5); elaborately engraved half-title dated 1831, 4 season titles, 55 hand-coloured engraved plates and aquatints, chain of ownership inscriptions between 1862 and 1969 on the front blank, loosely inserted manuscript note, scattered spotting primarily to text leaves, plates generally quite clean; contemporary red half morocco, marbled sides and endpapers, spine gilt in compartments, all edges gilt, binder's ticket of Wrightson Webb of Birmingham, binding a little rubbed and scuffed with small worn spots at the tips, excellent condition. Dunthorne 266; Nissen BBI 1676; Stafleu Cowan IV, 9504.

• Binding: Hardcover

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.