Polypodium vulgare [Fern - from the Herbier de la France]

Paris, published by the author/artist, 1784. 4to-sized (29.6 x 20.4 cm). Single leaf, early colour printing, Printed surface 23.0 x 17.0 cm. = This fine illustration of the fern, Polypodium vulgare, is an early example of fine colour printing. It was originally published as plate 191 of Pierre Buillard's "Herbier de la France, ou Collection complette des Plantes Indigènes de ce Royaume; avec leurs détails anatomiques, leurs propriétés, et leurs usages en Médecine". As indficated by the title, it is not only a beautifully leaved plant, but also important in traditional medicine for several healing properties. The colour-printing without retouching by hand, is in the Le Blon-Gauthier method, using a separate plate for each colour. A technique rarely employed for botanical books. "Bulliard was his own printer. He mixed colored inks with great delicacy and, in general, accuracy, and inked his tint plates with minute attention to detail. Stafleu and Cowan (p. 404) called the printing technique inked 'à la poupée'. Light soiling and discolouring of the margins, otherwise very good, with a strong, even impression. Rare. A fine plate on strong paper. Junk, Rara, pp. 176-177; Stafleu and Cowan, 905.