Fine Books and Manuscripts

[Botanical] Loddiges & Sons, Conrad. The Botanical Cabinet Consisting of Coloured Delineations of Plants from all Countries, association copy to Charles Darwin. London: John and Arthur Arch., [et al], 1818/1827. 10 (of 20) being volumes II-IX, XII, and XIII only. First edition, large paper issue. Contemporary half straight-grain olive-green morocco over marbled boards, gilt ruled in several frames, gilt fleurons and blind stamped sprigs at corners, raised bands with gilt tooling, compartments with a central cross sprouting fleurons inside elaborate gilt scrollwork, two compartments titled in gilt, gilt fillet turn-ins, marbled endpapers, a.e.m. Illustrated with 100 finely hand-colored engraved plates per volume, 1000 numbered plates total + 2 additional uncolored folding plates in vol. III, all by George Cooke, each accompanied with a facing leaf of text briefly describing the specimen. Each volume is with engraved titles and indices bound at rear, few with catalogues; Catalogue of Plants… sold by Conrad Loddiges & Sons (London: 1820, 12th edition, 55pp.) bound in at the end of vol. IV; Catalogue of Plants… sold by Conrad Loddiges & Sons (London: 1823, 13th edition, 48pp.) bound in at the end of vol. VIII. Small 4to. Boards and few bands rubbed, light foxing to titles with short pencil inscription above title in margins. Sound and tight bindings, plates generally clean and vibrant with scant browning to upper margins. Very handsome though incomplete set of this monumental work. Provenance: contemporary armorial bookplates and personal library catalogue labels affixed to front pastedowns of Sir John William Lubbock, 3rd baronet (1803–1865). A fellow of the Royal Society and later acting vice-president, he was most notably known for his astronomy and mathematics as he was accredited to developing a simplified method for calculating lunar and planetary perturbations. Lubbock was also a neighbor and a friend to Charles Darwin who lived at the neighboring property of Down House that was situated next to the Lubbock’s family estate of High Elms, often inviting Darwin over for lavish balls. Lubbock’s eldest son, John, would later go on to play a significant role in Darwin’s life and works, becoming a friend and trusted supporter, even to go so far as being asked for his opinions and mathematical corrections to On the Origin of Species and Descent of Man. The two regularly exchanged books, equipment, and references with one another, making the provenance of these volumes extraordinarily significant. Rare. Nissen 2228. Loddiges introduced many new and exotic species to Britain, several of which came from the United States. ‘The Botanical Cabinet’ was printed alongside the firm’s catalogues and produced a color guide for what could be seen and purchased at the nursery. The 2000 (1000 present) hand-colored plates catalogued the broad array of exotic plants, trees, shrubs, ferns, palms and orchids introduced into the famed nursery's hothouses and gardens from around the world. Subsequently, these engravings were never reprinted because all 2000 plates were stolen making this an extremely sought-after work on botanicals. In honor of his achievements, two orchids were named after him, Acropera Loddigesil which he introduced from Mexico and Cattleya Loddigesil from Brazil.