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A magnificent pictorial document of the flowers grown in the greatest German garden of its time, the Book of Plants is in a class of its own when it comes to the variety and range of flowers engraved.

Working under Basilius Besler, a team of at least ten engravers worked on this massive project, translating in situ and specimen drawings faithfully to copper plates. Nearly four hundred years old, the book has survived though the gardens did not; they were destroyed by invading Swedish troops in 1634. However, in 1998 a reconstruction of the original garden opened to the public in Eichstätt.

This facsimile's reproductions - structured by seasons - are taken from a hand-painted edition, one of only a few still extant. In auction, the asking price for a first edition copy is half a million dollars. You can now enjoy its unique qualities for somewhat less.

Average Customer Rating:

Botany lovers,You will love this!

Customer Rating:

I want to say that this book is more of an historical volume than a scientific or artistic volume for practical purposes today.I am an artist,and bought it thinking I might have some leads to designing in my own work.It did not have this special quality-artistic inspiration -to do that for me,yet-it is a very special book,albeit a collection of what we know know as predictable old world botanical illustrations. Yet I like it. I don't love it. -But ,I like it, alot. Do not buy it if you are an art student,there are other books out on the market for consideration.If you are someone who would like to frame alot of old world botanical illustrations to decorate your home,you will like this volume. What I admire is the dedication to the artist of this book,that had the stamina to get it published,400 years ago.