[Rarebooks] FS: Downing's FRUITS AND FRUIT TREES OF AMERICA, 1850, with 69 Hand-colored Lithograhps

[Charles Agvent]

In our "booth" at the ABAA Virtual Book Fair, now open to the public.

DOWNING, A[ndrew] J[ackson]. THE FRUITS AND FRUIT TREES OF AMERICA; OR, 
THE CULTURE, PROPAGATION, AND MANAGEMENT, IN THE GARDEN AND ORCHARD, OF 
FRUIT TREES GENERALLY; WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL THE FINEST VARIETIES OF 
FRUIT, NATIVE AND FOREIGN, CULTIVATED IN THIS COUNTRY. New York: John 
Wiley, 1850. First Edition. Quarto in 6s (6" x 9-3-16") bound in 
contemporary half morocco leather with matching corners, gilt-ruled 
green boards, gilt-lettered and decorated spine, top edge gilt; xiv, 594 
pages. Illustrated with 69 hand-colored lithograph plates by Lemercier 
of Paris and over 200 wood-engraved illustrations in the text. THE FIRST 
EDITION WITH COLORED PLATES of the most important and influential book 
on pomology published in America. First published in 1845, the book went 
through some 20 editions until 1900. All of the early editions are rare, 
and only two, published in 1847 and 1850, contain color plates and are 
also printed on larger paper. The plates were colored by hand and 
finished by Lemercier of Paris from drawings made in America. The text 
makes no reference to these exquisite color plates of apples, pears, 
cherries, plums, berries, and other fruits, and as Plesch (page 219) 
says, they "seem to have crept into the volume by stealth." It has been 
supposed that there was no fixed edition; perhaps copies were put 
together as the demand warranted, and as a result the plate count varies 
from copy to copy. Both the Plesch and the Bennett (page 35) 1850 
copies, for example, had 69 plates, as does this copy. The only other 
copy recently on the market contained 67 plates. The text is lightly to 
moderately foxed throughout, a bit less so to the color plates. Paper 
split to the front hinge but the covers are very tight. Rebacked with 
most of the original spine laid down. Very Good. (#019990)      $6,000

https://www.abaa.org/book/1324430187?vbf=1

-- 
All books subject to prior sale. Cash with order; institutions may be 
billed. Postage additional: $11.00 for the first item; $5.00 for each 
thereafter. Overseas postage billed at approximate cost. Pennsylvania 
residents must add 6% sales tax. Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and 
Discover accepted. Books may be returned within 7 days of receipt for 
any reason provided they are in the same condition as sent and prior 
notice is given. Please insure returns for their full value. We carry a 
diverse stock with major specialties including Modern and 19th Century 
Literary First Editions, Signed Books, Presidential Autographs, 
Illustrated Books, and the world's largest inventory of Limited Editions 
Club books. *We have been in business since 1987 and are proud to be 
members of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America (ABAA) and 
the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB).* Please feel 
free to contact us with any wants or offerings. Thank you.

CHARLES AGVENT

37 Ridge Drive

Fleetwood, PA 19522-9638

484-575-8825

info at charlesagvent.com

Please visit our shop: https://www.charlesagvent.com



-- 
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
https://www.avg.com