40 volumes in 30, including the four supplements. The first 36 volumes are bound from the original parts into 26 volumes, not in order of issue, but according to type of plant, with 11-page manuscript "order of arrangement" list bound in at the front of Vol. I. With 2,960 hand-colored engraved plates, including 2,592 plates in the main work (issued 1790-1814) and 368 plates in the four supplemental volumes (issued 1831-1849); accompanying letterpress descriptions. 9¼x5½, 19th century uniform ful polished green calf ruled in gilt, spines elaborately tooled in gilt, raised bands, gilt inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt.
Striking, unusual and rather ingenious presentation of Sowerby's English Botany, beautifully bound. The various categories of plants, issued at random over some 25 years, have been categorized and bound according to type, with each plate numbered on the facing letterpress description. Thus the normal complement of 36 volumes (40, including the later supplements) has been reduced to 26, plus the added supplements, but the set is complete with all the plates. There are occasional scholarly ink notes in the margins. The volume numbers on the title-pages have been "tweaked" with paper onlays. With the bookplates of Henry Collins.
Condition:
A few minor scuffs to spines, several ends nicked with one chipped, front joint of one of the supplements cracked, a little shelf rubbing to some covers; some fairly minor foxing within, near fine to fine condition, a beautiful set.