Claude Mollet - Théâtre des plans et jardinages : contenant des secrets et des inventions incognuës - 1652

Mollet (Claude). Theatre of plans and gardening: containing secrets and unknown inventions to all those who have so far meddled in writing about this subject:
with an astrology treatise suitable for all kinds of people, especially those involved in gardening. The whole enriched with numerous figures.
In-4 (218 x 160mm) scaly calf (period binding); (8) ff., 411 pages.
Split covers, dulled corners, missing caps and lower back, light stains, stain without impact on the text pp. 339 to 411
4 of the 22 planned panels.

Paris, Charles de Sercy, 1652.


Very rare original edition, dedicated to Nicolas Fouquet, of this work published posthumously by the French gardener Claude Mollet (1557-1647), the first gardener to the king under the reigns of Henry IV and Louis XIII.
Complete copy of the text sheets but with only 4 plates out of the 22 copper-engraved plates depicting garden plans.

This is indeed the Original Edition of this work, but in its 'economical' version, meaning the author's name printed was glued onto a slip following the title, the Privilege leaf is missing, and with shorter margins, the binder had to fold the plates present to insert them into the volume.
Similar copies can be found in libraries with two, three, or four plates, or no plates at all.
Complete copy of this economical version.


¶ Brunet, III, 1817.