Gyllenborg, (Count Gustavus Adolphus)

The Natural and Chemical Elements of Agriculture

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London for John Bell, and C. Etherington at York 1770 First English Edition Translated from the Latin.... by John Mills, Esq; F.R.S... 12mo. [179 x 104 x 19 mm]. xvi, 198, [2] pp. Contemporary binding by Johann Baumgarten (?) of tree calf, the covers with a gilt border composed of a floral roll within fillets and repeated impressions of a floral tool and a large floral bouquet in the corners. The spine divided into six panels with gilt compartments, lettered in the second on a red goatskin label, the others tooled with a flower and small floral tools, the edges of the boards and turn-ins hatched in gilt, marbled endleaves, gilt edges. (Joints slightly cracked at the head and foot). With the half-title and final leaf of advertisments. A fine copy in a very attractive binding. First published in Swedish and Latin as "Agriculturæ Fundamenta Chemica", at Upsala in 1761. Loudon called this an ingenious work for its time and country. Further English editions were published at Plymouth Dock in 1818, Romsey in 1820 and 1822, Banbury in 1823 and Bury St. Edmunds in 1824. A Spanish edition, taken from Mills's translation, was published at Madrid in 1794. This is a fine copy in a very attractive binding. The roll around the borders appears to be identical with the one used by Johann Baumgarten on Earl Spencer's copy of Bachmair's "A Complete German Grammar", London 1771, which was item 197 in Maggs Bros. catalogue 1075. The various floral tools are not amongst Baumgarten's usual selection, but the rococo style of the decoration is in keeping with his output at the time. According to Jaffray he was the first practitioner of tree-marbling in England, learning the art from one Wheeler, a bookbinder's supplier, who had seen it done in Holland. Baumgarten would marble sides for the trade at 3d for an octavo and 6d for a quarto, until he fell out with Wheeler who then passed the secret on to other binders. The work is dedicated to The Right. Hon. Wills Hill (1718-1793), Earl of Hillsborough, Viscount Kilwarlin of Ireland and Baron Harwich of Great Britain, and this is the dedication copy with Hillsborough's signature dated 1771 on the front endleaf. Hillsborough was an active parliamentarian both in the Irish House of Peers and the House of Lords. He served as president of the board of trade and foreign plantations and as secretary of state for the colonies. He was greatly involved in the debates during the American war and resigned his office in 1772 because he refused to accept the plan of settlement on the Ohio. In 1789 he was created Marquis of Downshire, and set a good example to other Irish landlords by his improvements on his estates.

• GBP 900.00 > other currencies
• ordernr.: ebc1725

• bookseller: George Bayntun (GREAT BRITAIN)