Index Kewensis. An enumeration of the genera and species of flowering plants. From the time of Linnaeus to the year 1885 inclusive together with their authors, names, the works in which they were first published, their native countries and their synonyms. Compiled at the expense of the late Charles Robert Darwin under the direction of Joseph D. Hooker by B. Daydon Jackson. Volumes I-II [AND] Index Kewensis plantarum phanerogamarum supplementum I-XVI.

Oxford, The Clarendon Press, and Brussels, Alfred Castaigne, 1895-1981. 18 volumes in 18. Large 4to (31.5 x 26.1 cm). 6885 pp. [A-J (1895) xiv, 1,268 pp.; K-Z (1895) vii, 1,299 pp.; I (1906) [ii], 519 pp.; II (1904) [ii], 204 pp.; III (1908) [ii] 193 pp.; IV (1913) [ii], 252 pp.; V (1921) [ii], 277 pp.; VI (1926) 222 pp.; VII (1929) [ii], 260 pp.; VIII (1933) [ii], 256 pp.; IX (19380 [ii], 305 pp.; X (1947) [ii], 251 pp.; XI (1953) [ii], 273 pp.; XII (1959) [ii], 157 pp.; XIII (1966) [ii], 149 pp.; XIV (1970) [ii], 149 pp.; XV (1974) [ii], 151 pp.; XVI (1981) [ii], 309 pp. Contemporary (publisher's?) green half calf over green boards (the main work), and embossed green full cloth, all with gilt title on the spines. = The very rare original edition. This massive work could only be compiled and published thanks to Charles Darwin: "Shortly before his death, Mr. Darwin informed me of his intention to devote a considerable sum in aid or furtherance of some works of utility to biological science" (from the preface by J. D. Hooker). Usually this work is found in the 1946 or later reprint. The original editions of the first five supplements, here added, are quite uncommon. The later ones were edited by Theophilus Durand and Jackson (supplement I), W. T. Thiselton-Dyer (supplement II), and by D. Prain (supplements III to V). The first supplement was published after the second, due to poor eyesight of Jackson. The 16 supplements cover the years up to 1975. The bindings of the supplements are uniform except for the last three which are bound in green bucktam, instead of green pebbled cloth; the gilt ornaments and title, however, are identical. Bindings sumptuous, but much rubbed at the edges, less so to absent in the supplements. Label at spine feet, pictorial bookplate or stamp on the front pastedowns, blind-stamp on titles; a few of the large thin leaves creased; two leaves in the first supplement torn, one leaf with a repair, otherwise a very good set.