Flora Graeca
Encyclopedia
Flora Graeca was a publication of the plants of Greece
in the late 18th century, resulting from a survey by John Sibthorp
and Ferdinand Bauer
. The botanical descriptions and illustrations were to become highly valued by the English audience, the finely crafted and illustrated work was of both scientific and horticultural interest.
Sibthorp met the botanical illustrator
Bauer in Vienna, where he had made a voyage to study a copy of Dioscorides early botanical work. This was the first part of a journey, to identify medicinal plants used in Greece; Bauer was to join the expedition as the illustrator. They were to record and collect a large number of novel specimens, their publication introduced these to an English audience. From March 1786 to December 1787 they surveyed the plants and animals of the eastern mediterranean, Sibthorp collecting and describing, Bauer making dried specimens and producing colour coded sketches. Bauers work, including around a thousand intricate and annotated sketches, is now regarded as one of the finest examples of botanical illustration.
Sibthorp's volumes were to become a botanical publication, the intention to produce a herbal or medical volume was transformed into a scientific survey. An accompanying volume, Fauna Graeca, and other planned works on the region, was not realised.
Sibthorp assembled the descriptions and plates
, his death in 1796 included an endowment to see the book published. The task of preparing the works was undertaken by James Edward Smith
, who issued the two volumes of the Prodromus in 1806 and 1813, and six volumes as Flora Graeca Sibthorpiana between 1806 and 1828. The seventh appeared in 1830, after Smith's death, and the remaining three were produced by John Lindley
between 1833 and 1840.
Each volume contained hundred plates, except the last, and these were engraved By Sowerby. Only 30 copies of this set were issued, another 50 complete sets were reissued in 1845 by Bohn
.
The cost in 1830 was 620 pounds. The scarcity of the early first editions led to doubt of their existence, the rare book is at the higher end of trade. The inherent value has led the Oxford University Library Services to make available a digital scan of the complete set.
The publication was issued with tables and indices of the scientific name, the common name in Greek was in this concordance.
It was during a period of increasing interest in horticulture and highly desired exotic species were described, many would become perennials of the English flower garden
.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
in the late 18th century, resulting from a survey by John Sibthorp
John Sibthorp
John Sibthorp was an English botanist.He was born in Oxford, the youngest son of Dr Humphry Sibthorp , who from 1747 to 1784 was Sherardian professor of botany at the University of Oxford....
and Ferdinand Bauer
Ferdinand Bauer
Ferdinand Lucas Bauer was an Austrian botanical illustrator who travelled on Matthew Flinders' expedition to Australia.-Biography:...
. The botanical descriptions and illustrations were to become highly valued by the English audience, the finely crafted and illustrated work was of both scientific and horticultural interest.
Sibthorp met the botanical illustrator
Botanical illustrator
A botanical illustrator is a person who paints, sketches or otherwise illustrates botanical subjects such as trees and flowers. The job requires great artistic skill, attention to fine detail, and technical botanical knowledge...
Bauer in Vienna, where he had made a voyage to study a copy of Dioscorides early botanical work. This was the first part of a journey, to identify medicinal plants used in Greece; Bauer was to join the expedition as the illustrator. They were to record and collect a large number of novel specimens, their publication introduced these to an English audience. From March 1786 to December 1787 they surveyed the plants and animals of the eastern mediterranean, Sibthorp collecting and describing, Bauer making dried specimens and producing colour coded sketches. Bauers work, including around a thousand intricate and annotated sketches, is now regarded as one of the finest examples of botanical illustration.
Sibthorp's volumes were to become a botanical publication, the intention to produce a herbal or medical volume was transformed into a scientific survey. An accompanying volume, Fauna Graeca, and other planned works on the region, was not realised.
Sibthorp assembled the descriptions and plates
Lithography
Lithography is a method for printing using a stone or a metal plate with a completely smooth surface...
, his death in 1796 included an endowment to see the book published. The task of preparing the works was undertaken by James Edward Smith
James Edward Smith
Sir James Edward Smith was an English botanist and founder of the Linnean Society.Smith was born in Norwich in 1759, the son of a wealthy wool merchant. He displayed a precocious interest in the natural world...
, who issued the two volumes of the Prodromus in 1806 and 1813, and six volumes as Flora Graeca Sibthorpiana between 1806 and 1828. The seventh appeared in 1830, after Smith's death, and the remaining three were produced by John Lindley
John Lindley
John Lindley FRS was an English botanist, gardener and orchidologist.-Early years:Born in Catton, near Norwich, England, John Lindley was one of four children of George and Mary Lindley. George Lindley was a nurseryman and pomologist and ran a commercial nursery garden...
between 1833 and 1840.
Each volume contained hundred plates, except the last, and these were engraved By Sowerby. Only 30 copies of this set were issued, another 50 complete sets were reissued in 1845 by Bohn
Henry George Bohn
Henry George Bohn was a British publisher. He is principally remembered for the Libraries which he inaugurated: these were begun in 1846 and comprised editions of standard works and translations, dealing with history, science, classics, theology and archaeology.-Biography:Bohn was born in London...
.
The cost in 1830 was 620 pounds. The scarcity of the early first editions led to doubt of their existence, the rare book is at the higher end of trade. The inherent value has led the Oxford University Library Services to make available a digital scan of the complete set.
The publication was issued with tables and indices of the scientific name, the common name in Greek was in this concordance.
It was during a period of increasing interest in horticulture and highly desired exotic species were described, many would become perennials of the English flower garden
Flower garden
A flower garden is any garden where flowers are grown for decorative purposes. Because flowers bloom at varying times of the year, and some plants are annual, dying each winter, the design of flower gardens can take into consideration to maintain a sequence of bloom and even of consistent color...
.
External links
- http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/science/eresources/flora_graeca Complete series of printed volumes with illustrations produced by an Oxford University library project.