Books

2 works in two volumes. 4to., (11 2/8 x 9 inches). Engraved frontispiece of Evelyn by Bartolozzi, 44 fine engraved plates including 2 double-page by J. Miller, and one etched plate (some light spotting throughout). Contemporary calf, gilt (rebacked preserving the original spines, extremities a bit scuffed). Provenance: With the bookplate of the Land Agents' society, precursor to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, their sale October 20th, 2011, lot 27 Fourth Hunter edition of the "Silva", and of the "Terra". Evelyn's pioneering work on tree cultivation, first published in 1664, and on soils, first published in 1676 ".were both outgrowths of the [unpublished] "Elysium Britannicum". Although primarily intended to encourage tree planting after the devastation of the civil war, "Sylva" was a learned work addressed more to gentlemen than to foresters. In it he introduced the word 'avenues' into the English language of landscaping. By its fourth edition it contained 'an Historical Account of the Sacredness and Use of Standing Groves' that demonstrates its relation to the Elysium project. Sylva's handsome reissue with additional plates by Alexander Hunter in 1776 gave it a renewed popularity" (Douglas D. C. Chambers for DNB).