PBA Galleries

[26 incl. added title], 520, [4], 76, [4], 119, [13] pp. With 12 (of 16?) copper-engraved plates, one of them double-page, another folding; engravings in the text throughout. (folio) 36x22.5 cm. (14¼x9"), 19th century half leather & pastepaper boards. First Edition.

The first volume (of three) of Valentini's marvelous and important compendium of art, commerce, and nature, perhaps most notable for the descriptions and pictures of the many plants from the East and West Indies of medicinal, therapeutic and commercial value, including a plate of the coffee plant, tobacco being grown by slaves in Virginia, etc. Also, exotic animals from the far reaches of the globe (including one very heavily armored rhinoceros), and much more. Seems to be lacking four plates and the printed half-title.