Icones et Descriptiones Graminum Austriacorum. Vol. 1-3 (of 4). - [THE MOST MAGNIFENT WORK ON GRASSES]

1801. Vindobonae (Vienna), Matth. Andrae Schmidt, 1801-1805. Large folio. (50x35,5 cm.) Bound in 3 contemporary half longgrained red morocco bindings, with gilt backs and gilt lettering. Corners and edges slightly rubbed, minor scratches to the marbled covers, a fine copy. (8),74;(1),72;(1),66 pp. and 300 (100+100+100) handcoloured engraved folio-plates. Text as well as plates printed on fine thick paper, all uncut and clean. Plates with tissue-guards and in very fine original handcolouring. Scarce first edition of this beautiful work on grasses by the first director of the botanical garden in Vienna. A fourth volume, also comprising 100 plates, was issued 4 years later in 1809 - it is not present here. The beautiful plates are unsigned but drawn by Johannes Baptista Jebmayer (J. Ibmayer)."The work is a product of the golden Age of Viennese botany, when Hapsburg patronage attracted many botanists, and paid for lavish publication of their work. The present work is dedicated to the Emperor Francis I and his subsidy was particularly necessary as grasses are a 'difficult' group with restricted appeal; no other work on the family can approach this one in magnificence." - Nikolaus Host was a physician to Franz I and director of the botanical garden in Vienna, which was founded by the emperor on the advice of Host. Blunt, Great Flower Books p. 103. Nissen No. 935. Pritzel No. 4285.