Citricultura oft regeringhe der uythemsche boomen te weten Oranien, Citroenen, Limoenen, Granaten, Laurieren en andere

Antwerp: Joseph Jacops, 1682. 4to. (7 3/4 x 6 inches). pp. (xl), 1-74, (2), 75-296, (26). Engraved frontsipiece and coat of arms after prefatory text. 14 additional engraved plates, most are folding. Contemporary calf with raised bands in six compartments, gilt tooling, gilt title on second compartment.

First edition of Sterbeeck's fascinating botanical treatise on citrus fruit, includes poetry composed in Latin and Flemish.

Sterbeeck was an Antwerp-born priest and botanist who wrote the earliest work solely devoted to fungi ('Theatrum fungorum,' 1675). Sandra Raphael describes the Citricultura as follows: 'His book about citrus fruit and other exotic plants starts with five congratulatory poems, some in Flemish, some in Latin, all by various local worthies praising their friend for his achievement. The extra leaf between pages 74 and 75 contains another poem, in couplets, called "Weeninge van Adam," a lament for Eden, following a chapter of speculation on the identity of Adam's apple, the forbidden fruit - an apple, a fig, or even a banana? A lengthy bibliography and list of contents follow before the main text, a first part on oranges, a second on citrons and grapefruit, a third on lemons, and a fourth on exotic trees, grafting, and pests. The last section deals with pomegranates, passionflowers, laurels, cinnamon, and the oleander. [...] The part of the book on the management of exotic trees, indoors in winter or out of doors in summers, describes how to keep them happy in tubs or pots, and even how to cope with insects, mice, or rats in greenhouses.' (Oak Spring Pomona pp. 186-7). Sterbeeck records in his preface that he lent his notes to his friend Jan Commelin, who made use of them for his 'Nederlantze Hesperides', which appeared in 1676; he mentions this in order that the readers don't suspect him of plagiarising the earlier work. The frontispiece was designed by Charles Emmanuel Biset and engraved by Frans Ertinger, who also signed the coat-of-arms plate. De Nobelaer's arms appear on the engraved plate, and he may have paid for the edition.

Hunt 365; Nissen BBI, 1893; Raphael, An Oakspring Pomona, 70; Stafleu & Cowan TL2 13013.