Allbright, J. [Albright]; William Allbright; James Barton Longacre;

The Floral Magazine and Botanical Repository [Volume I]

D. & C. Landreth, Nursery and Seedsmen, 1832. First Edition. Hardcover. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. Very Good / No Jacket. Item #00542580

A true botanical rarity, according to The National Gallery of Art 'Nurserymen David and David Landreth (father and son) began the first American gardening periodical in 1832 with the short-lived publication of The Floral Magazine and Botanical Repository, one of the first American magazines to be printed by lithography.' The Landreths operated America's first seed company (see below). Only a handful of copies of this work are known to survive. Engraved title page, with vignette by J. Allbright, engraved by J.B. Longacre. Complete with all 31 color lithograph plates by W. Allbright. William Albright (also Allbright, Albrecht), 1793-1852, best remembered for this American botanical landmark. The stunning botanical plates for this exceptionally rare volume were lithographed by various Philadelphia firms, including Kennedy & Lucas, Childs & Inman, M.E.D. Brown, and J. F. & C. A. Watson. Kennedy & Lucas was Philadelphia's first commercial lithographic printers (est. 1828). The failure of 'The Floral Magazine' to continue after 1834 appears coincidental with the closure of Kennedy & Lucas in that same year, following Lucas' untimely death. D. Landreth & Company is according to The Smithsonian the first commercial seed company in America (founded in 1784, it is still in operation). The son of the founder started publication of the 'Floral Magazine and Botanical Repository', which includes Landeth's remarkable editorial comments evangelizing gardening. CONDITION: This first (and only) edition, is bound in period dark green cloth, unusual six-sided leather spine label, all edges gilt (chip to foot of spine, cloth rubbed with some spotting; inner hinges weak, one leaf of text pulling loose; some foxing and spotting). Many of the what appear to be the original tissue interleaves are present. Volume I only (no more volumes were published), originally issued in 5 parts (1832-1834). Both text and plates are complete. Checklist of American imprints, 12427. Sabin no. 38847Hand-colored Plates.

Price: $9,500.00