Description
Description of Johann Theodor de Bry's Florilegium Novum - Valentini Edition
These exquisite hand-colored engravings are from the Valentini edition of Theodor de Bry's Florilegium Novum, published in 1719 which Valentini entitled Viridarium Reformatum. De Bry's work, originally published in 1612, is considered one of the finest botanical works of the time. In 1641 he issued a revised, expanded edition with his son-in-law Matthaeus Merian entitled Florilegium Renovatum et Auctum featuring added work by other artists including Vallet, Besler, and an de Pas. The Valentini edition for sale here, also included plates originally by Mattioli, Bauhin, among others. Michael Bernhard Valentini was a physician as well as a medical professor and a natural history collector. It is generally accepted that Valentini obtained the actual plates by de Bry and Merian for the printing of this edition. They are on chain-linked, watermarked paper that measures ~8" by 13 1/2".