Nuremberg: 1613.

(I. Rosa flore albo pleno; II. Rosa alba flore simplici; III. Rosa Milesia flore rubro plens; IV. Rosa provincialis flore albo ) A beautifully handcolored copperplate engraving of different kinds of Roses (15 3/4 x 18 1/2 inches to the platemark, 17 1/4 x 21 3/4 full page). It is most likely that this print was originally part of the first black and white edition of Besler's "Hortus Eystettensis" (Garden of Eichstätt), published in 1613. The later coloring is beautifully executed yet at times not corresponding to the type of Rose. The book "Hortus Eystettensis" was the earliest large folio botanical that depicted flowers, herbs and vegetables from a private garden. Johann Conrad von Gemmingenhe, the Prince Bishop of Eichstätt, created what was probably the first comprehensive botanical garden devoted to flowering plants. Basilius Besler on his part documented this vast garden, depicting each plant as it bloomed throughout the four seasons. Today less than 10 complete Volumes of this book are known to be conserved worlwide. Contemporary ink writing to the center of the bottom page repeating the name of a Rose, else bright and clean, in fine condition. fn/--.

ISBN: none.

[Item #PRN00263]