[RAVENSCROFT, Edward James (1816-1890)]. The Pinetum Britannicum. A Descriptive Account of Hardy Coniferous Trees cultivated in Great Britain. Edinburgh and London: Private Press of Peter Lawson & Son, [1863]-1884.

Parts 1-33 (of 52), folio (572 x 430 mm). 38 lithographed plates with hand-coloring; numerous wood-engraved illustrations; letterpress text leaves. Text and plates loose as issued in original printed envelopes (some spotting and dust-soiling to a few parts). Provenance: J. Fielden (subscriber's label on envelopes, sold Bonham's London, 10 October 2006, sale 14502, lot 702).

SUBSCRIBER'S COPY IN ORIGINAL PARTS

FIRST EDITION of the first 33 parts of one of the first great British works on pines. The Pinetum Britannicum is regarded as a landmark publication on conifers, and both Napoleon III and Queen Victoria subscribed to its first edition. Parts one to 33 were issued by Lawson and Sons, and parts 34 through 52 (not present in this set) were published by Ravenscroft in London and W. Blackwood & Sons in Edinburgh. Great Flower Books p.127; Nissen BBI 1588; Stafleu & Cowan TL2 8685.