Hyacinthus Orientalis flore purpureo albus
Hyacinthus Orientalis flore niveo
Hyacinthus Orientalis flore cinereo albus
Hyacinthus parvus stellatus vernus
Nuremberg, Germany: c.1640. Notes: No text on verso.
Basil Besler's great botanical work, "Hortus Eystettensis .." is one the most important botanical books ever published. The author, Basilius Besler (1561-1629), was a respected Nuremberg apothecary and botanist. The work commemorated the celebrated gardens of its patron, Johann Konrad von Gemmingen, Prince Bishop of Eichstatt. 'The Book is horticultural rather than botanical, and is the earliest pictorial record of flowers in a single garden. It is divided into Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter sections and is concerned almost entirely with ornamental plants. The plates depict over 1000 flowers representing 667 species, many of them exotics appearing for the first time. The original drawings (most of them now in the University Library, Erlangen) took sixteen years to complete. With Bishops patronage Besler worked as an artist, author and publisher directing a team of ten artists and engravers. The most important being Wolfgang Kilian of Augsburg. The work was completed in Autumn 1613.
References: Nissen 158; Pritzel 745; Hunt 430; Blunt pp95-97; Hans Baier, Aus dem Antiquariat, n.95, 1970, pp.273-280; Coats, The book of Flowers.
, Image Size : , Platemark Size : 472x391 (mm), 18.58x15.39 (Inches), Paper Size : 555x450 (mm), 21.85x17.72 (Inches), Coloring: Hand Colored, Medium: Copper Engraving, Categories: Natural History Botany;. Very Good. Item #P5464
Price: $4,400.00