"The Gardener's Dictionary" by Philip Miller (1755)

Figures of the most Beautiful, Useful and Uncommon Plants described in the Gardener’s Dictionary...
(Published in London by P. Miller, 1755-1760)
(some prints are from the later, more rare 1794 and 1805 editions, as noted below thumbnail image)

Original 210 to 250-year-old hand-colored botanical engravings
The beautiful plates of this splendid and monumental work were all engraved after drawings by Ehret, Lancake, John Miller, and others.
"In the execution of the work no expense has been spared to render it as perfect as possible.
The drawings were taken from living plants, the engravings were most of them done under the author's inspection
and the plates have been carefully coloured from the original drawings" [from the preface]

Sheet size: varies somewhat, but approximately 10.5 x 16 inches (26.7 x 40.6 cm)

"...The Gardener's Dictionary" by Philip Miller of the Chelsea Physic Garden was undoubtedly one of the most important works of the eighteenth century, both to botanists and gardeners. It went into numerous editions in England and abroad. André Michaux took it with him when he embarked on his prolonged plant-hunting sojourn in North America in 1785, and by the end of the century it was in use in Moscow. In order to keep the price reasonable, it was not illustrated; but in 1755 and 1760 two supplementary volumes of plates were published, for those who could afford them. The drawings were made by various hands, but the majority were executed by R. Lancake.

Plate III

Fig 1. ABUTILON frutescens lanuginosum...
Fig 2. ABUTILON Ribesii...

Sheet size (approx.): 9.875 x 16.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.5 x 13.5 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
March 25, 1755
G.D. Ehret, pinxt.
J. Mynde, sculp.
[chain-laid rag paper with
fleur-de-lis/crown watermark]

Some age toning and remnants of previous hinging tape on BACK of print

$175

Plate IX

ANTHEMIS millefolia
Milfoil-leaved ANTEHMIS

Sheet size (approx.): 10.125 x 16.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.5 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
T. Jeffrys , sculp.
[laid paper with no visible watermark]

Very minor age toning/splotching

$175

Plate XIII

JUSTICIA Hyssopifolio
Hysop-leaved Justicia, or Snap-Tree

Sheet size (approx.): 10.125 x 16.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.5 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
T. Jeffrys , sculp.
[laid paper with 1794 J. Whatman watermark]

Very minor age toning/splotching

$250

Plate XVI

Fig 1. RHAMNUS Alaternus L.
Broad-leaved Alaternus
Fig 2. RHAMNUS Alaternus B.
Narrow-leaved Alaternus

Sheet size (approx.): 10.25 x 16.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.5 x 13.125 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
T. Jeffrys, sculp.
[1794 Whatman paper watermark]

Minor edge/corner wear

$225

Plate XIX [A]

ALOE africanam folius planis...

Sheet size (approx.): 10 x 16.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.5 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
June 25, 1755
J. Mynde, sculp.
[chain-laid rag paper with
fleur-de-lis/crown watermark]
Note later edition print to right with different name

Original watercolor paint smears and minor smudging in margin

$175

Plate XIX [B]

ALOE carinata
Broadest-leaved Tongue Aloe

Sheet size (approx.): 10.125 x 16.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.5 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
J. Mynde, sculp.
[laid paper with no visible watermark]
Note: same print as to left, but probably from the 1794 or 1805 edition, different name of plant

Very minor age toning

$225

Plate XXVI

AMOMUM Zerumbet
Broad-leaved Ginger, or Zerumbet

Sheet size (approx.): 10.125 x 16.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.5 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
J. Mynde, sculp.
[laid paper with no visible watermark]

Very minor age toning

$225

Plate XXVI [B]

AMOMUM scapo nudo, spica oblonga obtusa Horts. Cliff.

Sheet size (approx.): 9.875 x 16.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.5 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
July 29, 1755
T. Jeffrys, sculp.
[laid paper with crown/Fleur-de-Lis/LVG
visible watermark]

Very minor age toning and a couple of very faint fox marks

$215

Plate XXXIII

CUCUMIS ANGURIA
Round prickly-fruited Cucumber

Sheet size (approx.): 10.125 x 14.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.25 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
T. Jeffrys, sculp.
[laid paper with no visible watermark]

Major age toning, old acidic hinging tape on back of print, damp stain right margin extending into image area, short closed tear right margin outside of plate mark. Overall, still an attractive print, even with flaws.

$125

Plate XXXVI

ONONIS fruticosa
Purple-flowered Shrubby Best-Harrow

Sheet size (approx.): 10.125 x 14.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.25 x 13.25 inches
Mounted/matted in 15.5 x 20 inch dark green mat

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
T. Jeffrys, sculp.
[laid paper with no visible watermark]

$250

Plate XXXVIII

ANTHEMIS Pyrenthrum
Spanish Chamomile or
Pellitory of Spain

Sheet size (approx.): 10.125 x 13.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.25 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
Ehret, delin.
T. Jeffrys, sculp.
[laid paper with no visible watermark—
probably 1805 edition]

Minor unobtrusive mottling of paper

Plate XXXIX

Fig. 1: ANTERICUM altissimum, Tallest Anthericus
Fig. 2: Hypoxis decumbens, Trailing Hypoxis

Sheet size (approx.): 10.125 x 13.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.25 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
T. Jeffrys, sculp.
[laid paper with no visible watermark—
probably 1805 edition]

Minor mottling of paper

$250

Plate XLVII

Fig. 1: ARBUTUS Folio Flore oblongo fructa ovato
Fig. 2: ARBUTUS Folio serrato

Sheet size (approx.): 9.875 x 16.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.5 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
Oct. 28, 1755
Ehret, delin.
T. Jeffrys, sculp.
[laid paper with crown/Fleur-de-Lis/LVG
visible watermark]

Some paper mottling and faint foxing; short tear right margin well outside plate mark

$295

Plate LI

Fig. 1: ARISTOLOCHIA Dematitis, Upright Birthwort
Fig. 2: ARISTOLOCHIA longa, Long-rooted Birthwort

Sheet size (approx.): 9.875 x 16.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.5 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
Oct. 28, 1755
R. Lancake, delin.
T. Jeffrys, sculp.
[laid paper with no visible watermark—
probably 1805 edition]

Extremely faint paper mottling

$275

Plate LIV

HYPERICUM balearicum
Warted St. John's Wort

Sheet size (approx.): 9.875 x 16.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.5 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
T. Jeffrys, sculp.
[laid paper with no visible watermark—
probably 1805 edition]

Some paper mottling and single note-worthy fox mark

$225

Plate LVIII

ASTRAGALUS Alpinus procerior alopecuroides

Sheet size (approx.): 9.875 x 16.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.5 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
Dec. 30, 1755
R. Lancake, delin.
T. Jeffrys, sculp.
[laid paper with no visible watermark—
probably 1805 edition]

Single note-worthy fox mark in left margin well outside plate mark

$175

Plate LXI

BAUHINIA foliis ovato-cordatis, lobis longissimis parallelis

Sheet size (approx.): 9.875 x 16.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.5 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
Jan 27, 1756
R. Lancake, delin.
T. Jeffrys, sculp.
[laid paper with no visible watermark—
probably 1805 edition]

A few original watercolor paint smears

$175

Plate LXI [B]

BAUHINIA aurita
Long-eared Mountain Ebony

Sheet size (approx.): 9.875 x 16.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.5 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
R. Lancake, delin.
T. Jeffrys, sculp.
[laid paper J Whatman 1794 watermark]

$225

Plate LXVI

POLYGONUM Bistorta
Great Bistort or Snakeweed

Sheet size (approx.): 10.125 x 14.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.25 x 13.25 inches
Mounted/matted in 15.5 x 20 inch dark green mat

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
R. Lancake, del.
J.S. Miller, sculp.
[laid paper with no visible watermark—
probably 1794 or 1805 edition]

Somewhat mottled paper

$250

Plate LXXIIII

BUPLEURUM fruticosum
Common Shrubby Hare's-ear

Sheet size (approx.): 10.125 x 14.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.25 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
R. Lancake, del.
J.S. Miller, sculp.
[laid paper with 1794 J Whatman watermark]

Somewhat mottled paper, lightly foxed

$175

Plate LXXX

LEONURUS taraticus
Tartarian Motherwort

Sheet size (approx.): 10.125 x 14.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.25 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
R. Lancake, del.
J.S. Miller, sculp.
[laid paper with no visible watermark—
probably 1794 or 1805 edition]

Very lightly mottled paper; soft crease upper left outside of plate mark

$150

Plate LXXXIII

Fig. 1: CASSINE Peragua, Cassioberry Bush Fig. 2: Ilex vomitoria, South Sea Tea, or Evergreen Cassine

Sheet size (approx.): 10.125 x 14.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.25 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
R. Lancake, del.
J.S. Miller, sculp.
[laid paper with no visible watermark—
probably 1794 or 1805 edition]

Numerous unobtrusive natural paper wrinkles (from laid paper-making process)

$250

Plate LXXXV

CAUCALIS latifolia
Broad-leaved Caucalis

Sheet size (approx.): 10.125 x 14.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.25 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
R. Lancake, del.
J.S. Miller, sculp.
[laid paper with no visible watermark—
probably 1794 or 1805 edition]

Numerous unobtrusive natural paper wrinkles (from laid paper-making process); some mottling; soiling outside of plate mark in upper left corner

$250

Plate LXXXVI

CEANOTHUS americanus
American Ceanothus,
or New Jersey Tea

Sheet size (approx.): 10.125 x 14.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.25 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
R. Lancake, del.
J.S. Miller, sculp.
[laid paper with no visible watermark—
probably 1794 or 1805 edition]

Numerous unobtrusive natural paper wrinkles (from laid paper-making process); some mottling and very light foxing

$250

Plate LXXXVII

CELASTRUS spinis nudis ramis teretibus foliis acutis

Sheet size (approx.): 10.125 x 14.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.25 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
May 25, 1756
R. Lancake, del.
J.S. Miller, sculp.
[chain-laid paper with JButtanshaw watermark]

Light foxing

$150

Plate XCI

CERINTHE major
Great Honeywort

Sheet size (approx.): 10.125 x 14.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.25 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
R. Lancake, del.
J.S. Miller, sculp.
[laid paper 1794 J Whatman watermark]

Light foxing

$225

Plate XCV

CLINOPODIUM AEGYPTIACUM
Egyptian Field Basil

Sheet size (approx.): 10.125 x 16.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.5 x 13 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
R. Lancake, del.
J.S. Miller, sculp.
[laid paper 1794 J Whatman watermark]

$250

Plate XCVI

LATHYRUS articulatus

Sheet size (approx.): 10.125 x 14.5 inches
Size to plate mark (approx.): 8.25 x 13.25 inches

Published according to the Act by P. Miller
R. Lancake, del.
J.S. Miller, sculp.
[laid paper 1794 J Whatman watermark]

Moderate foxing at top

$225

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