Lot 61: GMELIN, JOHANN GEORG.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Flora sibirica sive historia plantarum sibiriae. St Petersburg: Typographia Academiae Scientiarum, 1747-1769

4 volumes, 4to (240 x 187mm.), 301 engraved plates printed on 286 leaves, contemporary calf, richly gilt ornamented spines with gilt lettered label (vols. 1 and 2) and contemporary blue boards (vols. 3 and 4), volume 2 with faint dampstain in the upper margin of some of the plates, boards bumped

Nissen BBI 721; Junk Rara 2:218-219

a fine complete copy of this fundamental publication on siberian plants. A work of great rarity, especially the last two volumes published posthumously by Gmelin's nephew Samuel in a much smaller edition than the first two.

The work contains descriptions of 1178 species and represents the most important early botanical contribution to the vast Siberian mainland. "In his preface to the Flora sibirica Gmelin gave a remarkable overall picture of the nature of central Sibiria, pointing out that western Siberia looks very much like eastern Europe, but that after crossing the Yenisey River he had the impression of being in another continent" (DSB 5:428). Plate 41 of volume III was never published.