CURTIS - THE BOTANICAL MAGAZINE; OR, Flower-Garden Displayed. Volumes 1-66 by CURTIS (WILLIAM) - 1793

London: Printed by Stephen Couchman for W. Curtis, 1793. Book. Very Good. Hardcover. By Author's Wife. 8vo [22.5 x 14 cm]. A run of the first 66 volumes, (bound in 42), of this most famous of all botanical periodicals: 1787-1840. Volume 58 with a presentation inscription from the author "To Chas Fraser Esq, from the author, 1832" to the head of the title page [This is presumably William Jackson Hooker, rather than the proprietor of the magazine Samuel Curtis]. With plate nos. 1 - 3794 (missing just plate 3640) so 3,793 superb plates all hand-coloured with the exception of three, many of the plates double folding. Bound in contemporary matching dark green half morocco with gilt and blind tooled decoration and lettering; vols. 1-53 uniform with identical tooling of the leather bindings, vols. 54-62 uniform and bound to match with similar tooling and vols. 64-66 also uniform and bound to match with similar tooling, but in the new slightly larger format. All edges and end papers marbled. Bindings generally very good with a little general wear, a few later volumes with discreet repairs to the joints, one or two slightly chipped to the head/tail of the spine. Contents good and tight, some toning to the paper and plates as usual, occasional spotting, a few plates lightly browned, offsetting to some plates from neighbouring text, or where plates folded, oxidisation to a greater or lesser extent of the red pigment in earlier plates as usual. Overall a very good run of the first 66 volumes of Curtis's famous Botanical Magazine..