[Rarebooks] FS: Sargent. Silva of North America. Complete

[Clare Murphy]

SARGENT, CHARLES. SPRAGUE.  SILVA OF NORTH AMERICA. A DESCRIPTION OF 
THE TREES WHICH GROW NATURALLY IN NORTH AMERICA EXCLUSIVE OF MEXICO. 
Cambridge, Ma: Houghton, Mifflin and Co., 1892-1902. Illustrated by 
740 engraved plates by Picart after Faxon, with tissue guards. 14 
volumes. Paper-covered boards with paper labels. Folio. Very good. 
Library bookplate identifying from whom this set was received. Shelf 
numbers, in pencil, to copyright pages. Barely visible pencilled 
number to bottom of spines. No other library marks. Never circulated. 
Remnant of glue to pastedowns, from old protective book covers. Some 
minor soiling to boards, some bumps and dings, contents fine. 
Original edition of this monumental work, covering every species of 
tree native to North America. Each genus described is accompanied by 
numerous large, beautifully detailed engravings.

Sargent not only describes the physical aspects, locations and 
ecological role of each species, but also their historical 
backgrounds, including those of the people who discovered and named 
them. The engravings were all done after the originals drawings by 
Charles Edward Faxon (1846-1918), an instructor of botany at the 
Bussey Institution at Harvard. He was appointed assistant director of 
the Arnold Arboretum by Sargent, where he was in charge of the 
library and herbarium. Sargent (1841-1927) graduated from Harvard 
University before serving in the Civil War. He became professor of 
horticulture at Harvard, and was later appointed Arnold Professor of 
Arboriculture, a position he held until his death. He was the founder 
and first director of the Arnold Arboretum, which, due largely to his 
efforts, now houses one of the finest collections of botanicals in 
the United States. Nissen, Botany 1728; Sitwell, Great Flower Books, 
page 135.  $6,500.00.00

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Clare Murphy
Payson Hall Books
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Watertown, MA 02472
USA

(617) 924-8484

payson at oldbooks.com

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