Lot 65: FORSTER, John Reinhold (1729-1798) and George (1754-1794). Characteres generum plantarum, quas in itinere ad insulas maris austalis. London: B. White, T. Cadell and P. Elmsly, 1776.

4 o (275 x 218 mm). Errata leaf at end. 78 engraved plates (some light foxing). Contemporary mottled calf gilt (wear to hinges and corners). Provenance : J.F. de S. Grande (bookplate). FIRST EDITION of the first botanical work to result from Cook's second voyage to the South Pacific. It records a large number of new names relating to the plants of Australasia and Polynesia and "it has been said to be the foundation of our knowledge of New Zealand, Antarctic, and Polynesian vegetation" (Hill, pp.422-3). Holmes 17; Mitchell Library Cook 1385; Nissen BBI 644; Pritzel 2981; Sabin 25134.