Andre Michaux (1746-1802) Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1759-1840)

Histoire des arbres forestiers de l'Amérique septentrionale

Paris: L. Haussmann et d'Hautel, 1810-1813

4 volumes. 8vo., (9 6/8 x 6 4/8 inches). 3 text volumes, and one plate volume to accompany volume II., only (without plate volumes to accompany volumes one and III). Half-titles (light spotting throughout). 50 hand-colored stipple-engraved plates of oaks and maples after Pierre Joseph Redoute, his brother Henry Joseph Redoute, Pancrace Bessa and others (some spotting and offsetting). Contemporary French tree calf, the spines ruled in six compartments with morocco lettering-pieces in the second and fourth (extremities scuffed).

Provenance: With the contemporary and calligraphic ownership inscriptions of Catherine Treates at the head of each title-page and on the first plate; early library label of Redmond Conygham on each front paste-down; and the modern signature of Louis St. Lewis added to each label.

"for beauty in the coloring of the plates the Paris editions are preferable, having been executed under the author's supervision" (Sabin)

First edition, originally issued in 24 parts. With attractive impressions of the beautiful plates: including 26 of oaks and 24 of other trees including beeches, birches, maples, cabbage tree, holly, box elder, coffee tree, etc. The plates are captioned in English and Latin. Michaux, with his father, was originally sent to North America by the French government to research oaks for reforestation in France. Nissen BB1 1360 (calling for 140 plates); MacPhail 12b; Sabin 48693; Stafleu TL2 5961.