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an old black and white drawing of a plant with leaves and flowersa black and white drawing of a plant with leaves and flowers
Premium Jeschke Jádi Auctions Berlin

Estimate €1,000 - €1,500
Sale commission
Description
Botany Gouan, Antoine Illustrationes et observationes Botanicae, ad specierum historiam facientes. Or, on rare indigenous, Pyrenean and exotic plants (...) with illustrations drawn by the author from life, in natural size and style. With 28 engraved copper plates. Tiguri (Zurich), published by Orell, Gessner, Fuesslin and partners, 1773. (8), 83, (1) pp. Folio. 19th-century half leather with gilt edging. Extremely rare; no copy has been identified by us on the international market. Pritzel, 3487. – Nissen, Botanical Book Illustration, 741. – First edition in very fine, fresh condition; the beautiful plates are rare, and the printing is sharp and high-contrast. They illustrate, above all, rare plants of the Mediterranean flora and the Pyrenees, including umbellifers, alliums, narcissi and crucifers. They serve not only for illustration but also for scientific identification: reproduced in natural size, they reveal the characteristics of flower, fruit and leaf shape that were decisive for Linnaean species classification. The work remains of great historical significance in terms of nomenclature to this day, as numerous plant species – including Bupleurum spinosum, Brassica tournefortii and Indigofera articulata – were first described here and are listed as a standard botanical citation (“Ill. Observ. Bot.”) in the International Plant Names Index. Antoine Gouan (1733–1821), Professor of Botany in Montpellier and Director of the city’s botanical garden, is regarded as a pioneer of Linnaeus’s binomial nomenclature in France – his *Hortus regius Monspeliensis* (1762) was the first French botanical publication to follow Linnaeus’s system. The present “Illustrationes et Observationes Botanicae” stem from two of Gouan’s expeditions to the Pyrenees (1766 and 1767), which he undertook on behalf of a commission tasked with establishing a public garden in Perpignan; he recorded the botanical findings of these expeditions in an 85-page folio volume containing 28 plates drawn by his own hand. The printing of the plates was financed by Albrecht von Haller from his own funds and carried out by the renowned Zurich publishing house Orell, Gessner, Füssli & Cie. – the leading publisher of natural science works during the Swiss Enlightenment. – A fine copy. Botanica. – With 28 engraved plates. Very rare; we have been unable to trace any copy offered on the international market. Pritzel, 3487. – Nissen, Botanische Buchillustration, 741. – First edition in very attractive, fresh condition. The fine plates are uncommon; the printing is crisp and high-contrast. They illustrate chiefly rare plants of the Mediterranean flora and the Pyrenees, including umbellifers, alliums, narcissi and crucifers. They serve not merely as illustrations, but also for scientific identification: reproduced at life-size, they clearly show the characteristics of flower, fruit and leaf form essential to the Linnaean classification of species. The work remains of great historical significance in the field of nomenclature to this day, as numerous plant species – including Bupleurum spinosum, Brassica tournefortii and Indigofera articulata – were first described here and are listed as standard botanical citations (“Ill. Observ. Bot.”) in the International Plant Names Index. Antoine Gouan, who was born and died in Montpellier, became a renowned botanist in his home city and was the first in France to publish a botanical work in accordance with the nomenclature introduced by Linnaeus. During his medical studies, he was a pupil of François Boissier de Sauvages, at that time one of Linnaeus’s most ardent followers. In 1762, Gouan published his *Hortus regius monspeliensis*, the first work published in France to employ Linnaeus’s binomial nomenclature. – A good copy. This lot is subject to standard tax. A 24.95% buyer’s premium is payable on the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) is payable on the final invoice amount within the European Union. This lot is subject to the standard tax regime. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.
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About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
Auction location
Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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