Mordant de Launay, [J. C. M.] and Loiseleur-Deslongchamps, [J. L. A.], Herbier géneral de l'amateur, contenant la description, l'histoire, les propriétés et la culture des végétaux utiles et agréables; dédié au Roi. 8 vols. With 575 colored copper plates (6 double page) after P. Bessa. Paris, (Didot Jeune for) Audot 1816-27. Contemp. boards with label. 27,5 : 18 cm.

First edition of the splendidly illustrated work on plants, dedictaed to the French king. The fine hand-colored coppers were mostly enraved after drawings by the Redouté student Pancrace Bessa, also one copper after Redouté self and one after A. Poiteau. Participating engravers were Barrois, Bigan, Brion de la Tour, Callens, Coignet, Susémihl et al. - Original drawings (500 l.) executed for the French king Chalres X., through his daughter in law, the duchess of Berry, and her sister Christina, empress of Brasilia, they got into the hands of the Botanic Garden in Rio de Janeiro. - Broad-margined and untrimmed copy on strong paper. Somewhat browned in places and with minor foxing (a little more obvious on just a few plates), vol. 1 with smal wormtrack towards end (slight loss of printed matter and letters). Bindings scraped and scuffed, 2 spined with defective spots.

Nissen 2323. - Sitwell/Blunt p. 159. - De Belder 246. - Plesch Rép. p. 256.