Silva: or, a Discourse of Forest-Trees, and the Propagation of Timber in His Majesty's Dominions.in Two Books. Together with An Historical Account of the Sacredness and Use of Standing Groves. Terra, A Philosophical Essay of Earth; being a Lecture in Course. To which is annex'd, Pomona: Or an Appendix, concerning Fruit-Trees, in relation to Cyder; the Making and Several Ways of Ordering It.Also Kalendarium Hortense; Or, The Gardener's Almanack.

Evelyn, John.

Published by London: Printed for J. Walthoe, J. Knapton, D. Midwinter.[et al.]. 1729.

About this Item

John Evelyn (1620-1706) is well known for his work Diary. In 1652, he commenced working on the garden at Sayes Court, which began his interest in botany and garden history. This led to his writing the Elysium Britannicum, an encyclopedic history of gardens and gardening practices. Evelyn's pioneering work on tree cultivation (Sylva, 1664) as well as his work on soils (A Philosophical Discourse on Earth, 1676 - entitled Terra: A Philosophical Discourse in later editions) were outgrowths of Elysium. Meant primarily to encourage tree planting after the devastation of the Civil War, Sylva was a learned work addressed more to gentleman than to foresters. In it, Evelyn introduced the word "avenues" into the language of landscaping. He was one of the virtuosi who formed the Georgical committee of what became the Royal Society in 1661. Long dismissed as a dabbler in the sciences, Evelyn is now recognized as a scholar and participant in the reception of the new science of the seventeenth century (Oxford DNB). Folio. [2], xxviii, 329, [1, blank], + vi (table); [4], 235, + [5, table] pp. Title page printed in red and black. Textual engravings and diagrams in addition to engraved borders, headbands, tailpieces, and initial letters. A few leaves misnumbered and a few gatherings missigned. Brown calf ruled in gilt with a gilt-lettered spine. Edges speckled red. Binding extremities lightly worn and rubbed with some minor chipping to spine and back cover. Crown of spine worn away less than 1/4." Very minor foxing. Engraved armorial bookplate on front pastedown. A very good copy. Fifth edition of Evelyn's most celebrated. The first edition (Sylva) was published in 1664, and has the distinction of being the first official publication of the Royal Society. Later editions contain additional material Henrey 136.

Seller Inventory # 17477

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Silva: or, a Discourse of Forest-Trees, and the Propagation of Timber in His Majesty's Dominions.in Two Books. Together with An Historical Account of the Sacredness and Use of Standing Groves. Terra, A Philosophical Essay of Earth; being a Lecture in Course. To which is annex'd, Pomona: Or an Appendix, concerning Fruit-Trees, in relation to Cyder; the Making and Several Ways of Ordering It.Also Kalendarium Hortense; Or, The Gardener's Almanack.
• Publisher: London: Printed for J. Walthoe, J. Knapton, D. Midwinter.[et al.]. 1729.
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition