Books

London: Printed for John Martyn, Printer to the Royal Society, 1679. Third edition, “much inlarged, and improved,” etc.. Illustrated with 5 copper-engravings in the text, including one full-page. 1 vols. Folio. Contemporary speckled calf, neatly rebacked. Black morocco spine label. Very good, with generous margins. Third edition, “much inlarged, and improved,” etc. Illustrated with 5 copper-engravings in the text, including one full-page. 1 vols. Folio. Evelyn’s Sylva , first published in 1664, is a treatise on forestry, written to promote the cultivation of timber for building the Royal Navy. As Disraeli wrote: “It was an author in his studious retreat, who, casting a prophetic eye on the age we live in, secured the late victories of our national sovereignty. Inquire at the Admiralty how the fleets of Nelson have been constructed and they can tell you that it was with the oaks that the genius of Evelyn planted.” This is the first edition to include Abraham Cowley’s…