John Hill unveils the Vegetable System

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

The knowledge and classification of nature represent a major scientific progress of the eighteenth century. It is rightly associated with the name of Linnaeus, who developed the concepts still used today of genera and species.

Monumental editions, which durated over many years, illustrated with art and accuracy such systematic researches.

For example, the publication of the "Histoire Naturelle" of Buffon, who did not follow the theories of Linnaeus, lasted from 1744 to 1804, thus ending 16 years after the death of its initiator.

In London, the "Vegetable System" edited by John Hill is also a monument in the edition history of that century. In 26 volumes published between 1759 and 1775, the author unfolds a rational description of the life and anatomy of plants. From the second volume, he uses the scientific names given to them by Linnaeus.

A copy estimated 200 K$, is on sale on June 24 at Christie's in New York. This large-format book, 46 x 28 cm, contains 1545 copper engraved plates. The illustrations of the first 21 volumes have been hand colored, in the practice of the time. Volume 23 was published in 1786 by the widow of the author.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

This book was not entirely in its original condition, and the last volumes were not colored. The market did not like. Unsold.