2 parts in 1 vol. in-f° (40 x 25 cm), [24], 212 (on 120); [16], 224, [4] pp, with two engraved allegorical title-pages (one in cont. handcol. with gold, some small loss), four title-pages (Latin and Dutch), with engraved printer's devices, and 5 full-page engraved coats of arms (two in cont. handcol. and gold). The first part contains 108 (of 112) plates with 109 figures (figures 42-44 on one plate) all CONTEMPORARY HANDCOLOURED, last ca. 10 leaves and plates with browning in one corner, the second part has 113 plates on 112 leaves (last 23 with some waterst. in one corner). The text in both volumes is in two columns, Latin and Dutch. Some minor defects. Unif. calf bindings in cont. style, with gilt backs. Good copy with very nice colours
Provenance : S. van de Berg Hameise (one title page and pl. 64 vol. I). Ref. Hunt 399; Nissen BBI 389; Plesch 145; De Belder 80; Pritzel 1833. "The first volume, on the plants of the East and West Indies, was Jan Commelin's most important contribution to botanical knowledge; it was brought out posthumously by his nephew Caspar. The second volume was by Caspar Commelin and contained an enlargement on some of the notes in Jan's book, with further notes on African plants" (Hunt). According to Nissen, some of the engravings are after drawings by Johanna Herolt, daughter of Maria Sybilla Merian. Johannes Commelin (1629-1692), drogist en liefhebber van kruidkunde, zijn werk werd bezorgd door zijn neef Casparus. Commelin was erin geslaagd om, met hulp van Joan Huydecoper, de Hortus tot een van de rijkste tuinen van Europa te doen uitgroeien
