The First Alphabetically Arranged Catalogue

of Plant Names

GESNER (or GESSNER), Conrad.

Catalogus Plantarum Latinè, Graecè, Germanicè, & Gallicè…Namenbüch aller Erdegewächsen, Latinisch, Griechisch, Teütsch, und frantzösisch. Regestre de toutes Plantes en quattre langues, Latin, Grec, Aleman, & Francoys. Unà cum vulgaribus Pharmacopolarum nominibus…Adjectae sunt etiam Herbarum Nomenclaturae variarum gentium, Dioscoridi ascriptae, secundum literarum ordinem expositae.

4 p.l., 162 leaves. Small 4to, cont. blindstamped panelled pigskin, remains of two deerskin ties. Zurich: C. Froschauer, 1542.

First edition of a very rare book on the market; this is a lovely fresh copy in contemporary blind-stamped pigskin. This, Gesner’s second botanical work, is “an alphabetically arranged catalog of plant names in four languages, the first of its kind, and an indication of the growing interest in botany beyond purely philological investigations into the writings of the classics. The Greek names are based on the works of Dioscorides. This early work is already characteristic of Gessner’s life-long endeavour to arrange scientific topics in alphabetical or systematic order; it also show his proficiency in languages, and his interest in their comparative treatment.”–Wellisch 8.1.

A fine copy. Signature at foot of title of “Lucas Schröck, M.D.” Schröck (1646-1730), was a professor of medicine at Jena and president of the Deutschen Akademie der Naturforscher (see Hirsch, V, pp. 139-40). Early inscription on front free endpaper stating this is a duplicate from the Royal Library of Munich. Engraved armorial bookplate, dated 1744, of Franziskus Topsl (1711-96), prior of the Polling Abbey in Upper Bavaria. Modern booklabel of D. Henry. Some minor worming to upper inner corner of first seven leaves, touching a few letters of the first two leaves.

❧ Pritzel 3298.

Price: $32,500.00

Item ID: 5506