BIGELOW, JACOB. 1787-1879.


American Medical Botany, Being a Collection of the Native Medicinal Plants of the United States.... Boston: Cummings and Hilliard, 1817-20. 3 volumes in 1. 8vo (248 x 160 mm). 60 engraved color plates, the first 10 hand-colored and the others color-printed. 19th century half morocco and brown cloth. Cover worn at corners and edges, front hinge cracked, library stamps and markings.Provenance: Dr. Russell Murdoch (presentation stamp on free front endpaper); Library of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland (bookplate).FIRST EDITION OF THE FIRST AMERICAN BOTANICAL BOOK as well as the first book with color-printed plates produced in America. Bigelow received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania and was professor of medicine and botany at Harvard College. He was eventually appointed Rumsfield Professor there from 1816-1827. Garrison-Morton 1842; Nissen BBI 164; Norman 234; Reese Stamped with a National Character 10; Sabin 5294.