A Gardener’s Library – The Rosemary Verey Collection Auction

London – Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions are delighted to be offering the working library of the late Rosemary Verey (1918-2001), one of the most distinguished and influential garden designers of the 20th Century, in the sale of Printed Books & Manuscripts on Wednesday 17th December 2014. The sale will be held at Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions saleroom in London’s Mayfair.

During her prolific career as a writer, lecturer and garden designer Rosemary Verey designed the famous garden at Barnsley House in the Cotswolds and her client list spanned HRH the Prince of Wales, Sir Elton John and the Marquess of Bute.

Rupert Powell, Deputy Chairman at Bloomsbury Auctions commented about her library; “It has been a joy to catalogue Mrs Verey’s Library for auction and it is with great pleasure that we offer it to the market. She brought books to read and use; many have notes or post-it stickers at relevant passages. Some of the books have faults, but from 16th century herbals to 20th century influences such as Gertrude Jekyll, it is clear that she utilised her books to assist her creativity.”
Auction Highlights

Leonard Mascall
A Booke of the Arte and Maner, howe to Plant and Graffe…Trees, [1572].
Extremely rare work by one of the first men to cultivate the pippin apple in England. Little is known of the author, save that he became clerk of the kitchen in the household of Matthew Parker, Archbishop of Canterbury.

Est. £3,000-4,000

Stephen Blake
The Compleat Gardeners Practice, 1664.
Complete with 30 fine engraved plates; only 2 copies at auction in the last 35 years, and both those in the 1970s.

Est. £3,500-5,000

Richard Gardiner
Profitable Instructions for the Manuring, Sowing and Planting of Kitchin Gardens, 1603.
No auction records for this elusive work; ESTC cites only 4 copies worldwide.

Est. £2,000-3,000

J. Duke
The Compleat Florist, 1747.
Engraved throughout, with frontispiece, decorative title and 100 plates. Lovely uncoloured copy in contemporary calf.

Est. £1,000-1,500

John Parkinson
Paradisi in Sole Paradisus Terrestris, 1629.
First edition of this beautiful work with the stunning woodcut title-page.

Est. £1,500-2,000

Jan van der Groen
Le Jardinier du Pays-Bas, 1681.
Profusely illustrated with charming woodcuts, many of parterres. The last part is devoted to bees and bee-keeping.

Est. £1,000-1,500

John Buonarotti Papworth
Hints on Ornamental Gardening, 1823.
With beautiful hand-coloured aquatint plates.

Est. £600-800

John Gerard
The Herball, 1597
First edition of one of most important herbals, complete with engraved title and over 2100 woodcut illustrations.

Est. £2,000-3,000

Gabriel Thouin
Plans Raisonnes de toutes les especes de Jardins, 1819.
With 57 charming lithograph plates depicting garden plans and views.

Est. £1,000-1,500

The full catalogue will be available to view and download at www.bloomsburyauctions.com