1543 Leonhart Fuchs; Rosemary, Folio herb from the scarce first edition - Botany

Rosemary is a fragrant evergreen herb native to the Mediterranean. It is used as a culinary condiment, to make bodily perfumes, and for its potential health benefits.  

Superb hand coloured woodcut in FOLIO size from:  

Leonhart Fuchs  

New Kreüterbuch,  

Heinrich Füllmaurer, Albert Meyer (draughtsmen), and Veit Rudolf Speckle (woodcutter)  

Basel, Isengrin, 1543 with his watermark to each leaf.  

Dimensions:
Height: 13.71 in. (34.8 cm)
Width: 8.78 in. (22.3 cm)

References: VD 16, F 3242; Adams F 1099; Fairfax Murray I, 175; Nissen, BBI 658; Stafleu-C. 1909; Hunt 48  

Folio woodcut of extraordinary beauty with later hand color.  

"Fuchs, following Brunfels, was the third of the German Fathers of Botany. He gave us forty plants never before figured... He was also the first of the modern era to attempt to give a botanical glossary of terms, presenting it in alphabetical order" (Hunt).  

"This herbal has the first European figures of certain American plants, including Indian corn and the great pumpkin" (Sparrow).  

Minor fingering to corners and old corner crease.