Sertum anglicum, seu plantae rariores quae in hortis juxta Londinum

Paris: Pierre-François Didot, 1792. 4 parts in one volume, folio. (20 1/8 x 14 1/8 inches). (4) 36pp., 35 plain engraved plates (including 15 bis), of which 22 are by Redouté and 10 are by Sowerby. Contemporary blue paper boards, rebacked with brown calf preserving original spine.

L'Heritier, a wealthy French nobleman and botanist, published a number of important specimen books in the 1780's, illustrating exotic plants found in Europe. In the process he launched the career of Redouté by publishing his illustrations and by introducing him to the highest levels of Parisian society. In addition he instructed Redouté in plant anatomy, the techniques of dissection, and made his large collection of books and specimens available to the young artist. While L'Heritier advised Redouté in the appropriate details necessary for correct botanical drawings, the Dutch flower painter, Gerrit van Spaendonck, encouraged the young artist's talents by teaching him the techniques for capturing variations in tone and color. The Sertum Anglicum, or English Garland of Flowers, was an attempt to describe and illustrate some of the rare exotics growing at Kew Garden. When L'Heritier visited London in 1786, Redouté joined him there, and they worked on the volume together (Hunt). Thirty-one of the plates illustrated their respective species for the first time, while seven contain the only known illustration of the species.

Dunthorne 248; Great Flower Books (1990), p. 113; McGill/Hunt 692; Nissen BBI 1189; Pritzel 5270; Stafleu & Cowen 4492.