Les Roses.... avec le texte par C.A. Thorry,

Paris, [C.L.F. Panckoucke, 1824-1826] 40 parts bound in 4 vol., 8vo, half-title, general title, 159 (of 160) stipple-engraved plates after Redouté, partially printed in colour and finished by hand, 4-page prospectus bound in after title, small “MHS” stamp on blank area of plates, some toning and spotting (mostly to text), tissue guards, contemporary maroon calf gilt, black morocco spine labels, g.e., rubbed, volume 1 rebacked preserving original spine one joint of volume 4 repaired

First octavo edition of Redoute’s Roses.

“Redouté’s great chance came when, in 1798, Josephine Bonaparte acquired Malmaison and resolved to establish there a garden for rare plants. As was the fashion, she searched for an artist to make records of them, and her choice fell upon Redouté. Thus were born Ventenat’s Jardin de Malmaison (1803-04) and Bonpland’s Description des Plantes rarescultivées à Malmaison et à Navarre (1812-17), both superbly illustrated in colour by Redouté. To the same period belong the eight magnificent volumes of Les Liliacées (1802-16), which were followed by the still more famous Les Roses (1817-24)” (Sitwell). This, the octavo edition of Les Roses, was first published in 1824.
Dunthorne 233; Great Flower Books, p.71; Nissen BBI 1599
Provenance: Massachusetts Historical Society (purchased 1871), bookplates.