Illustrated By: J. L. Knapp, Esq. F. L. S. & A. S.
Published By: T. Bensley
Gramina Britannica; or Representations of the British Grasses with remarks and occasional descriptions by J. L. Knapp, Esq. F. L. S. & A. S. This rebacked 1804 work has a beautiful full leather Morocco binding with stunning gilt borders and blind tooling. This regimental binding features a gilt coat of arms, which depicts a stag's head and crown. The motto "honi soit qui mal y pense", or "shamed be whoever thinks ill of it", stems from the British chivalric Order of the Garter, the highest of all British knighthoods - a motto which has since been adopted by a variety of British military and civilian institutions. The gold coat of arms and borders are complimented by the book's all edge gilt. This attention to detail and impeccable presentation continues inside, as this edition includes all 124 pages with 119 plates which have been carefully hand-tinted. The colours still appear incredibly vibrant, and the tinting is to a high standard. Other than a closed tear and offsetting to the title page and preface, there is some minor foxing throughout the book, and the lack of image guards has caused some offsetting. This book is in great condition despite its age. This is a rare copy, not just due to its condition, but also as according to the minutes of the Linnean Society, only 100 copies were left after a fire at Bensley, this being one of them. This is a lovely collectors item for any historians of the early 1800s, or for any enthusiasts of natural history.
Author: J. L. Knapp, Esq. F. L. S. & A. S.
Binding: Hardback
Ref: 121904
Price £1000.00
