Natural History, Travel and Color Plate Books
HILL, JOHN. 1716-1775.
Compleat Body of Gardening. London: printed for T. Osborne; T. Trye; S. Crowder and Co.; and H. Woodgate, 1757.
Folio, 410 x 260 mm. Engraved emblematic frontispiece, 60 engraved plates, all finely hand-colored by a contemporary hand, most plates unsigned but including work by C. Edwards & Darly, J.Hill, Boyce, Philips, B. Cole, and others, after Edwards, J. Hill, Van Huysum and others. Contemporary red morocco, covers with wide gilt frame of botanical tools in a repeating pattern, very expertly rebacked with the original spine laid down, spine richly gilt, all edges gilt, Spine a bit darkened, joints slightly rubbed, small scratches and abrasions to covers, small repair to lower cover at the time of binding). Isolated faint offsetting from plates, other trivial imperfections.
