The Flora Capensis of Jakob and Johann Philipp Breyne (Brenthurst Series De Luxe Edition)

The Brenthurst Series. Number 88 of the De Luxe Edition limited to 125 copies. In the original slip case covered with marbled paper and leather trim, half dark green leather binding with marbled paper boards, gilt titling on the spine, top edge gilt, well illustrated.Shelf wear to the slip case with a bit of loss to marbled paper, boards and raised bands on the spine, otherwise fine.

“Jakob Breyne (1637—1697) and his son Johann Philipp (1680—1764) were wealthy merchants of Danzig who collected rare and exotic plants. In 1724 Johann Philipp had 86 watercolour drawings of plants from the Cape of Good Hope bound in an album. All the drawings are unsigned and were executed by several artists. The Cape is well known for its profusion of indigenous wild flowers, and these centuries-old paintings are here reproduced for the first time, together with an introduction, and notes on each plant depicted”. -The Brenthurst Press.