Prints from Basil Besler's
Hortus Eystettensis [1613]

A group of superbly decorative and very early botanical prints. Basil Besler (1561-1629) was a Nuremberg apothecary who had as his patron the Prince Bishop of Eicstatt (near Nuremberg). While in charge of the bishop’s elaborate gardens, Besler, with the financial support of his patron, undertook his great project of botanical illustration. Off and on for sixteen years he created drawings which, with the help of six skilled engravers, were turned into two large folio volumes of 374 plates, illustrating more than one thousand flowers. The prints were arranged by seasons, with the plants shown whole and life size. Besler’s monumental florilegium invites the use of superlatives when describing it. It was the most comprehensive as well as the largest early work of its kind. It is also one of the most delightfully drawn and visually impressive ever made. Each plate is wonderfully designed with the rhythmic pattern of the roots and stems, as well as the calligraphic invention of the lettering fully developed. These are truly joyous prints from one of the most outstanding works of botanical illustration of all time.

• Pl. 4. Double flowered cherry; Bird cherry; Fir twigs and cones. $2,200
• Pl. 18. Sweet violets (five varieties). Slightly faded color. $1,800
• Pl. 22. Red-stemmed filaree; Meadow cranesbill (2 varieties) $3,800
• Pl. 27. Adriatic buttercup; Double-flowered garden buttercup; Wind flower. $2,800

• Pl. 85. Orange lily and bulb. $3,600
• Pl. 89. Madonna (Annunciation) lily & bulb; Large-leaved Speedwell. [Illustrated at top, center] $4,200
• Pl. 120. Mourning Iris; Florentine Iris; Dalmatian Iris. $4,600
• Pl. 121. Tall bearded garden (flag) Irises. $4,600
• Pl. 124. Stinking Iris; Orlaya; Crosswort gentian. $4,200

• Pl. 141. Pomegranate in flower; Plantain weed (two varieties). $3,200
• Pl. 145. White rose of sharon. $3,800
• Pl. 154. Creeping bellflower; Nettle-leaved bellflower; White nettle-leaved bellflower. $2,700
• Pl. 157. White snapdragon; Red snapdragon; Death's head. $2,400
• Pl. 162. Golden aster; striped & plain toadflax. $1,800

• Pl. 178. Double-flowered larkspurs (three varieties). $2,800
• Pl. 183. Spotted White Martagon Lily. $3,400
• Pl. 193. Turkish lion's-foot; Mountain alyssum; Blue globe daisy. $1,900
• Pl. 195. Orchid; Stinking orchid; Bird's nest orchid; Coral root orchid. [Illustrated at top, left] $2,600
• Pl. 222. White & rose-colored double flowered hollyhocks. $3,800

• Pl. 250. White campion; Red campion. [Illustrated at right] $3,400
• Pl. 306. Multiflorous Aztec marigold (African marigold); Lemon-scented & Anise-scented basil. $3,800

• Pl. 307. Double-flowered French marigold; Tawny French marigold. $3,600
• Pl. 308. Florist's carnations. $3,400
• Pl. 309. Florist's carnations, grass pink. $3,200
• Pl. 311. Florist's carnation; White-flowered Thyme; Lavender cotton. $2,800
• Pl. 317. Plumed meadow pink; Proliferous pink; Large-flowered self-heal; Golden marguerite. $2,200

• Pl. 322. African tomato; Sweet marjoram or pot marjoram. $4,400
• Pl. 330. Red pepper with both erect and nodding apiculate fruit; Red pepper with nodding apiculate fruit. $3,400
• Pl. 331. Peppers with nodding, apiculate, ribbed fruits. $3,200
• Pl. 352. Canary Islands Arborescent houseleek; Multiflorous striped colchicum; Colchicum in leaf and flower. $3,200
• Pl. 362. Hellebore; Yellow crocus; Golden crocus. [Illustrated at top right] $3,800

UNCOLORED FIRST EDITION PRINTS

A selection of First Edition prints by Besler from his Hortus Eystettensis. Eicstatt, 1613. Folio. Engravings. Text on verso. Excellent impressions. Uncolored. Superb condition.

• Pl. 52. Double-flowered yellow jonquil; Double-flowered white garden narcissus; Double-flowered narcissus, stellate form. $2,400
• Pl. 64. Polyanthus narcissi with yellow centers (three varieties). $2,400
• Pl. 76. White narcissus; Late multiflorous red tulip; Summer snowflake. $3,800
• Pl. 96. White double-flowered rose; White rose; Red gallica rose; White semidouble-flowered rose. $2,400
• Pl. 97. Old Frankfurt rose; Blush double-flowered rose; Red gallica rose; White rose with single and semidouble flowers. $2,400
• Pl. 203. Wild gladioli (three varieties). $2,500

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©The Philadelphia Print Shop, Ltd. Last updated March 18, 2008