John Hill 'Exotic Botany Illustrated, in thirty-five figures of curious

'explaining the sexual system; and tending to give some new lights into the vegetable philosophy', London, printed for the author, 1759, 1st Edn, large folio, Title, 2pp. dedication to Hugh Smithson Percy, 2nd Earl and later 1st Duke of Northumberland, 1p. Introduction, 35pp. text, 2pp. index. 35 hand-coloured engraved plates, near contemporary full calf, rubbed and hinges cracked, very good and clean plates, 48 x 30cm, Little is known of John Hill's life before the 1730s. At various times he was an apothecary, an actor and a gossip columnist. Through his study of botany, he became acquainted with various members of London's scientific community, including Sir Hans Sloane, and was employed by the Duke of Richmond and Lord Petre to arrange their gardens and collections of dried plants. John Stuart, Earl of Bute, later became his patron, and in 1761, secured for him the post of gardener in the newly established botanical gardens at Kensington Palace (previously the residence of George II). Dr Samuel Johnson observed of him to George III that 'if he would have been contented to tell the world no more than he knew, he might have been a very considerable man'. Hill’s exotic plants were new to Europe, the majority being raised in the hothouses of his patron, the Duke of Northumberland, and engraved from life. In his introduction, Hill describes his technique of reconstituting dried specimens by macerating them in warm water: 'The Plant was laid in a China Dish, and Water was poured upon it, nearly as much as the Cavity would hold; another Dish, somewhat smaller, was turn’d down upon this, and the Edges were cemented with common Paste spread upon brown Paper. This was set upon a Pot half full of cold water, and placed over a gentle Fire…The Plant, however, rumpled up in drying, expands and takes the natural Form it had when fresh. Even the minutest Parts appear distinctly. The Specimen is destroyed by this Operation, but it shews itself, for the Time, in full Perfection.', The Plant was laid in a China Dish, and Water was poured upon it, nearly as much as the Cavity would hold; another Dish, somewhat smaller, was turn’d down upon this, and the Edges were cemented with common Paste spread upon brown Paper. This was set upon a Pot half full of cold water, and placed over a gentle Fire…The Plant, however, rumpled up in drying, expands and takes the natural Form it had when fresh. Even the minutest Parts appear distinctly. The Specimen is destroyed by this Operation, but it shews itself, for the Time, in full Perfection. Condition Report, Condition Report, This lot does not have a condition report, if you would like further information, please click the 'Request A Condition Report’ button below. Request A Condition Report, Request A Condition Report

Estimate:£6,000

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