Lot 211: WALDSTEIN, Franz de Paula Adam, Graf von (1759-1823) and P l KITAIBEL (1757-1817). Descriptiones et icones plantarum rariorium Hungariae. Vienna: Matthias Andreas Schmidt, [1800]-1802-1805-1812.

3 volumes in two (including 1 volume of plates), 2o (466 x 333mm). Sepia aquatint headpiece to first preface leaf by Fischer, 279 (of 280) hand-coloured etched and engraved plates, some with stipple, by Johann Schtz (nos. 1-37) and his son Karl (38-280). 16 folding (9 of the folding plates showing signs of old guards along one fold, about 11 plates shaved along top margin just affecting the engraved plate numeration, some plates closely bound at inner margin, occasionally obscuring plate numeration or titles.) Early 19th-century green morocco gilt by J. Mackenzie, covers with wide decorative border of fillets and roll-tools, spine in six compartments with raised bands, lettered in the second and third, the others with elaborate repeat arabesque decoration built up from various small tools, gilt turn-ins, gilt edges. RARE. ONE OF THE EARLIEST WORKS WITH COLOURED PLATES OF HUNGARIAN PLANTS and 'Kitaibel's major published work in botany' (Johnston). According to Nissen the work was issued in 28 parts, each presumably with 10 plates and accompanying text. The wrappers to the first three parts were dated 1800, whilst those of the last were dated 1812. The title-pages in this copy are dated 1802 (vol. I) and 1805 (vol. II) and 1812 (vol. III, which is to be found bound between plates 146 and 147 in the second volume). Waldstein was the economic and motivating force behind this splendid project to record Hungary's flora and fauna, although Waldstein's 'multiplicia impedimenta' prevented completion of the work. Kitaibel was responsible for the text, and the book is as much a monument to him as it is to the golden age of Viennese botanty and botanical book production. He was professor of Botany at the University of Pest and the collections of botanical, mineralogical and zoological specimens he formed on his many tours through his homeland, formed the basis of the natural history collection of the Hungarian National Museum. Kitaibel's substantial contribution to Hungarian Natural History included the classification of 'more than 50 unknown plants' and he recorded and named several species of animals' ( DSB ). Brunet V 1403; Dunthorne p.325; Johnston 678; Nissen BBI 2096; Pritzel 9939; Stafleu and Cowan 16560. (2) SALESROOM NOTICE This lot has a complete set of 280 engravings rather than the 279 listed in the catalogue description.