"A Complete Body of Planting and Gardening" – Botanical Engravings – William Hanbury – London, 1770-1771

"A Complete Body of Planting and Gardening" – Botanical Engravings – William Hanbury – London, 1770-1771
A complete body of planting and gardening, containing the natural history, culture, and management of deciduous and evergreen forest-trees; with practical directions for raising and Improving woods, nurseries, seminaries, and plantations […], by William Hanbury. Printed for the author, London, 1770-1771. English. Two volumes.
A guide to planting and gardening, by William Hanbury, originally published as a series of weekly booklets. The book is accompanied by twenty engravings of various plants.
William Hanbury (1725-1778), a clergyman and expert gardener, headed the Langton church, Leicestershire, and financed his various charity initiatives through selling plants from the flourishing nursery which he nurtured. Known for his endeavors to form a government policy regarding forestry management.
Volume 1: [4], IV, XX, 885 pp + [12] engraved plates (possibly missing a number of leaves at the end of the book).
Volume 2: 832, [24] pp, + [8] engraved, 41.5 cm. Lacking frontispiece engravings. Good condition. Pinholes to a number of leaves. Slight damages to margins of leaves. Stains. Creases at margins of leaves. Pen inscriptions to title page leaves. New bindings, slightly stained.