Loudon, J.C. Arboretum et Fruticetum Britannicum; or, The Trees and Shrubs of Britain, Native and Foreign, Hardy and Half-Hardy, Pictorially and Botanically Delineated, and Scientifically and Popularly Described; with their Propagation, Culture, Management and Uses... 1st. Ed. Pub. Longman, Orme, Brown, Green, & Longmans, London, 1838
Eight volumes bound in six, 417 plates with fine hand-colouring. 8vo. Hardbacks. All edges marbled. With bookplate of Charles Holte Bracebridge (1799-1872). Spotting at ends and occasonally elsewhere in text volumes, two leaves neatly repaired, o/w. fine. Occasional, minor spotting to plates, o/w. fine. Contemporary half-leather over marbled boards, spines gilt lettered and richly decorated. Two spines relaid, neat repair to another, bindings showing rubbing and in very good condition. A very pleasing set with fascinating provenance.
Sets of ‘Arboretum’ with hand-colouring are very uncommon. Herein, the leaf specimens, stems, flowers and fruit are finely coloured. Charles Holte Bracebridge was a ‘man of letters’. Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) wrote of Charles and his wife Selina (1803-1874) that they were family friends and that Selina was her spiritual mother. The three appear together in the charming painting ‘Florence Nightingale with Charles Holte Bracebridge and Selina Bracebridge in a Turkish Street’ by Jeremy Barrett (1824-1906), held in the Wellcome Collection.
£2,000.00 [Ref: 61963]