A Very Early Botanical Manuscript with 120 Fine Botanical Watercolours

[Saxony 1618], Folio (320 x 210mm), Contemporary Vellum, remains of silk ties, Gilt lettered monograph H. H. and Date 1665 on Upper Cover, with 120 botanical watercolours brightly painted in gouache on 117 leaves, Contemporary Latin names on most leaves, occasional offsetting.

This is a very attractive and interesting early botanical album, displaying exotics, perennials and garden flowers in full bloom, when the majority of published works were still concentrating on Herbs.

Seven leaves have representations of tulips (fol. 40-44, 86, 94), at least six others show American plants, including Ficus indica major and Yucca gloriosa. The remaining plants are mostly of European or Middle Eastern origin. The paper is the watermarked “Z” or “Zittaw” (thus obviously Zittau) suggesting the origin of the manuscript is the region of Saxony. exlibris Heinrich Göttig from Flensburg (1786-1863)