Johann Hermann Knoop (1700-1769)

Pomologia, Fructologia, Dendrologia

Leeuwarden: Abraham Ferwerda, 1758-1763

3 volumes in one. Folio (14 4/8 x 10 4/8 inches). 3 letterpress title-pages within wood-engraved border printed in red. Engraved coat-of-arms and 39 fine engraved plates apples, pears, plums, peaches, cherries, nuts and grapes with original hand-colour (some occasional pale marginal stains). Contemporary half calf, marbled paper boards (rebacked preserving the original spine, corners worn).

Provenance: with the bookplate of the Horticultural Society of New York, bequest of Kenneth K. Mackenzie dated October 1934 on the front paste-down.

"FIRST GREAT WORK (ON FRUITS) OF REAL IMPORTANCE" (Bunyard)

First edition. From the age of 25 Knoop was gardener to her Serene-Highness Marie-Louise, Dowager Princess of Orange and Nassau (Landgravine Marie Louise of Hesse-Kassel) (1688 - 1765) at her estate near Leeuwarden. A widow and regent of the Principality of Orange from the age of 23 Marie-Louise was beloved of her people, often called by them Marijke Meu. In her garden were to be found the best examples of fruit from not only Dutch gardens, but also French and English. In addition to cultivating the plants, Knoop brought scientific method to the art of garden design, writing books on mathematics and astronomy as well as natural history. Bunyard p. 439; Nissen BBI 1080; Pritzel 4754; Raphael An Oak Spring Pomona. 48; Stafleu and Cowan TL2 3766.