The American Flora; Or History of Plants and Wild Flowers; Containing a Systematic and General Description, Natural History, Chemical and Medical Properties. [Bound with "Monthly Flora" (1846) Vol. I]

New York: Strong and Bidwell. Very Good. 1846. First Edition. 3/4 leather. Small 4to 9" - 11" tall; Volume I - the 1st issue of Asa Strong's celebrated color-plate materia medica and American botanical. This example bound together with the first 44 pages of the short lived "Monthly Floral" color-plate botanical magazine published by Lewis & Brown in 1846. Bound together iIn a 19th century 3/4 leather and marbled paper boards. Strong's work is complete with plates, including hand colored frontis and extra title page, along with 50 hand colored plates: 36 plates with single botanical examples and 14 plates with two examples depicted. Text pages 119 - 122 are repeated, with pages 123 - 127 lacking. The plates to accompany those missing pages (Anacardium; Cashew Nut & Rhodendron Chrysantemum) are present. Index of examples in both Latin and common names appear at rear. The "Monthly Floral" Vol I of 1846 is bound in at rear, starting from title page through page 44 (of 125) ; 18 hand colored plates (of 20 expected). Three loose hand-colored plates, not associated with any textual content are laid in at rear. Recent professional rebacking with the original tooled leather spine laid down. Paper boards surface and edge rubbed; top front corner of rear board has a stress crack that has been archivally strengthened. Leather at spine stress creased but supple; gilt title lettering, ruling and devices bright. Only a few plates are missing their tissue guards, though some several more are accordioned, rubbed or partially torn. Foxing is present in varying degrees to the text, heaviset to tissue guards and offset to facing pages of tet. Plates remain generally bright and clean, a few with minor cropping. A sound and decent example of the 1st issue of the 1st Vol of Strong's Flora, with a full complement of plates and additional 21 hand colored plates in the Monthly Flora and laid in loose. Pictures available on request. ... Oversize book may require additional charges for expedited or international shipping. .