18th Century Fruit Book from France's Leading Botanist

DUHAMEL DU MONCEAU, Henri Louis.  TRAITE DES ARBRES FRUITIERS.  Two volumes.

Paris: Saillant and Desaint, 1768. Large 4to. (33 x 25 centimeters). Contemporary mottled calf. Frontispiece. (iv), 29, (3), 237 pages; (iv), 280 pages, 180 engraved plates. First edition. [Oak Spring Pomona, 28].

Being a very nice copy of one of the most important eighteenth century fruit books, written by France's leading botanist.  The first volume begins with directions on grafting and pruning with descriptions of particular fruits, including almonds, apricots, barberry, cherries, quinces, figs, strawberries, gooseberries, apples, medlars, and a mulberry.  The second volume is mostly devoted to pears, peaches, plums, grapes, and a rasberry.  The eighteenth century mottled calf bindings have been expertly repaired at the extremities of the spine.  Internally the book is fine with no foxing.  The plates are strong impressions.

$9,850.00