Russia
GMELIN, Johann Georg.
Flora Sibirica sive historia plantarum Sibiriae.
Imperial Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, 1747-69. 4 volumes 4to (26 x 20.2 cm). 286 engraved plates, most folding and double-page; occasional pencil or pen annotations. Contemporary marbled boards, spines with 2 beige morocco labels lettered in gilt; rubbed at extremities. Provenance: Ch. Bourqueney, French botanist fl. ca. 1867 (from Chatelblanc, Doubs; annontations on title of volume 1 and on plates of Alpes and Jura plants).
A COMPLETE COPY OF THE MAJOR WORK ON RUSSIAN FLORA, in contemporary binding. Together with Pallas and Lepekhin, Gmelin (1709-55) participated in the Great North Expedition, the most ambitious Russian scientific project before the 19th century. Several works were published after this expedition, from travel account to precise classifications like the present one. COMPLETE COPIES ARE OF GREAT RARITY. Only black and white copies are known.
Price: £ 12500
US Dollar Price: $ 24790
Stock Number: 71848