North American Sylva; or, A Description of the Forest Trees of the
1857.
Item #13231
MICHAUX, FRANCOIS A. The North American Sylva; or, A Description of the Forest Trees of the United States, Canada, and Nova Scotia ... [with:] THOMAS NUTTALL. The North American Sylva ... Philadelphia, 1857. 5 vols. 277 handcolored plates. Bound in contemporary ornately blindstamped full dark brown morocco, spines lettered in gold, all edges gilt. Light to moderate foxing on some plates, very light rubbing to the extremities of the binding. A very attractive set. A classic of American natural history. Though originally published as separate works, with Nuttall's being a continuation of that of Michaux, the two works were combined in one edition in 1851, and reissued several times thereafter. The beautiful color plates, many of which are after Redoute, were engraved in France for Michaux, while Nuttall used the more modern method of lithography. The Michaux contains 156 handcolored plates, and the Nuttall contains 121 handcolored plates. The plates depict the leaves, nuts, and flowers and berries of trees throughout the continental United States and Canada. Sabin commented: "Of the two works united, it is no exaggeration to remark that it is the most complete work of its kind, and is a production of unrivalled interest and beauty, giving descriptions and illustrations of all the forest trees of North America...." Sabin 48695, 56351.
Price: $6,500.00