De La QUINTINIE, Jean-Baptiste (1626-1688) ; trans. John Evelyn.
The Compleat Gard'ner; or Directions for cultivating and Right ordering of Fruit-Gardens and Kitchen-Gardens.. .
Two volumes in one. London: for Matthew Gillyflower, 1693. First edition in English.

Folio (12 1/4" x 8"). Title-page printed in red and black (some minor marginal worming to later text leaves). Engraved frontispiece portrait of the author, and 11 plates, including two folding, 9 engraved vignette head-pieces, and small wood-engravings in the text. Modern brown paneled calf antique.

Provenance: with the ownership inscription "Planche, Lyon" date 1861 at the head of the title-page.

First edition in English of the Jean-Baptiste de La Quintinie's (or La Quintinye, per the title-page; 1626-1688) Instruction pour les jardins fruitiers et potagers translated by the celebrated John Evelyn: founding member of the Royal Society, English writer, diarist, and gardener. La Quintinie was "potager du roy" to Louis XIV: director of the fruit and kitchen gardens of the royal households from 1670 to 1688. For his services, Quintinye was ennobled by the Louis in 1687. John Evelyn (1620-1706) is best remembered for his vociferous defense of trees, and his passionate plea that their number be increased in the British Isles.

Henrey 218; Keynes, Evelyn 103.