LUNAN (John).

Hortus Jamaicensus,

or a Botanical Description (according to a Linnean System) and an Account of the Virtues &c. of its Indigenous Plants hitherto known, as also of the most useful Exotics. Compiled from the Best Authorities, and Alphabetically Arranged…

First edition. 2 vols. Later half calf, morocco labels to spine, gilt, sunned, contemporary annotations and marginalia throughout, lacking final leaf with errata at end of volume II, volume II title and a few leaves repaired at fore margins (without loss of text), some spotting and toning, a few water stains and marginal wormtracks, previous owner signature of S.L. Bowerbank at head of titles. Jamaica, Printed at the Office of the St. Jago de la Vega Gazette, 1814.

£3,500.00

As well as being a slave-owner and printer, John Lunan (1771-1838) was also a planter, botanist, magistrate and a Member of the Jamaican House of Assembly. He published numerous works from this press e.g. ‘An Abstract of the Laws of Jamaica Relating to Slaves’ in 1819. As the “owner*”* of many slaves so it is likely this book was printed with their labour.

A scarce West Indian imprint: “The most complete system of Jamaican botany extant” (Sabin), this was a substantial text from the press, which was a Lunan family venture. The text is quite discursive with commentaries on the origins, properties and habitat of the island flora. The last copy recorded at auction was at Sotheby’s New York in 1981. Lunan died leaving as estate some 30,000 sterling.

Provenance: Reverend Lewis Bowerbank (1782-1853), a much loved Rector of St. Catherine, Jamaica from 1823-43. with his ownership inscription on both titlepages. He retired to Corsham in Wiltshire. The book was well rebound fairly recently and the binder has retained the original small labels from the Jamaica stationer and bookbinder Gordon & Osborn of Kingston.

Sabin 42683.

Stock No.
231126