Harropian Books

[Botany, Fox Talbot Calotype, Shakespeare Society] The Gardeners' Chronicle : A Stamped Newspaper of Rural Economy and General News. Nos. 1-26 January 2, 1841 - June 26, 1841

Lindley, John (Editor)

London: 1841. Hardcover. The first six months of the inaugural publication of The Gardeners' Chronicle, running from No. 1- 26, with all woodcuts present as called for in the List of Illustrations for these 26 issues. Volume bound in decorative green foliate linen over boards with title stamped in gilt onto leather spine label, folio, (13 inches tall), n.b. pagination is scattered at times with some pages misnumbered, skips, etc.,(no. 1 has "Nos. 1-2 Saturday, January 2-9, 1841 Reprinted, February 26, 1841." printed at top), pp. [i-iii], iv-vii, [viii], [1], 2-9, (verso of 9 is 19) 19-25, [33]- 424, index, lacks 2 leaves ; 257/258 and 271/272. Volume is well worn with corners exposed, head of spine pulled, back strip damaged with crack to 2/3's of lower joint, eps toned, very occasional spotting, gutter cracks at issue no. 12, hairline cracks at hinges, all issues slightly trimmed for binding with p.o. name and address "Major James Mile Ballywillan (near) W. Colerain... Ireland"? written in ink onto first pages, red government tax stamps in each number. "Founded in 1841 by the horticulturists Joseph Paxton, Charles Wentworth Dilke, John Lindley and the printer William Bradbury, it originally took the form of a traditional newspaper, with both national and foreign news, but also with vast amounts of material sent in by gardeners and scientists, covering every conceivable aspect of gardening." wiki. Issues : Very Good ; Binding : Fair. Item #3350

In No. 14 (April 3rd, 1841) on pp. 223/224 Fox Talbot's new "Calotype Photogenic Drawing" process is announced and discussed in some detail while offering perhaps one of the first publications of his new process (patented on the 8th of February 1841) "further details on this subject, and an accounting of the chemical processes employed, are reserved for a paper which Mr. Talbot intends to lay before the Royal Society." Of Shakespearean interest, there is a notice of the official forming of The Shakespeare Society on p. 34 in Vol. 3. Also interesting is the reporting of "Destruction of the Falls of Niagara" on p. 175 wherein "... the most stupendous phenomenon of the New World, has ceased to exist, and the mighty rush of waters has assumed the character of simple rapids." (Niagara Falls were actually blocked by ice in 1848). This article is immediately followed by "The Intoxicating Quality of Hemp" so the story warrants special consideration. Between these covers are found the latest concepts in Botany and a plethora of new gardening innovations.

Price: $950.00 CAD  other currencies