Digitizing Project
It has been a vision of the Library to share with the general public some of the rare manuscripts and printed works that have been the cornerstone of Mrs. Mellon's passion for creating the Oak Spring Garden Library.
- Mrs. Mellon's Five Favorite Books
- Landscape Architecture Collection
- Special Digitizing Projects
- Oak Spring Garden Library Volumes
Mrs. Mellon's Five Favorite Books
The Oak Spring Garden Library and Rachel Lambert Mellon are happy to announce the digitization of five important books from the Library's collection. They were especially selected by Mrs. Mellon and these titles have been very influential and important to her over the course of time. They are:
1. Furber, Robert (circa 1674-1756)
THE FLOWER-GARDEN DISPLAY'D, IN ABOVE FOUR HUNDRED CURIOUS REPRESENTATIONS OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS…
London, 1734
This was the beginning of the Oak Spring Garden Library - the first rare book purchased by Mrs. Mellon at a very young age. It also gave her the desire and passion to learn more about plants. Soon after, she began to collect other rare material, both printed and manuscript.
2. La Quintinie, Jean de (1626-1688)
THE COMPLEAT GARD'NER; OR, DIRECTIONS FOR CULTIVATING AND RIGHT ORDERING OF FRUIT-GARDENS AND KITCHEN-GARDENS; WITH DIVERS REFLECTIONS ON SEVERAL PARTS OF HUSBANDRY. IN SIX BOOKS. BY THE FAMOUS MONSR. DE LA QUINTINYE, CHIEF DIRECTOR OF ALL THE GARDENS OF THE FRENCH-KING…
London, 1693, two volumes in one, English edition, translated by John Evelyn
The cultivation of vegetables and fruit, plus the pruning and training of fruit trees, have always been a real joy to Mrs. Mellon. La Quintine's methods and designs have helped her over the years with her own plantings and growing of espaliers and cordons. She has also collected several editions of this work.
3. Noisette, Louis Claude (1772-1849)
LE JARDIN FRUITIER, CONTENANT L'HISTOIRE, LA DESCRIPTION, LA CULTURE ET LES USAGES DES ARBRES FRUITIERS, DES FRAISIERS, ET DES MEILLEURES ESPECES DE VIGNES QUI SE TROUVENT EN EUROPE; LES USAGES DE FRUITS SOUS LE RAPPORT DE L'ECONOMIE DOMESTIQUE ET DE LA MEDECINE; DES PRINCIPES ELEMENTAIRES SUR LA MANIERE D'ELEVER LES ARBRES, SUR LA GREFFE, LA PLANTATION, LA TAILLE, ET TOUT CE QUI A RAPPORT A LA CONDUITE D'UN JARDIN FRUITIER…
Paris, 1821, three volumes
This is one of Mrs. Mellon's favorite books. This beautifully illustrated work has been a great help to her as it gives an accurate view and insight to the history, culture, and uses of fruit – from the planting of seeds to the training and shaping of trees for high quality fruit production.
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4. Munting, Abraham (1626-1683)
ABRAHAMI MUNTINGII, MEDICINAE AC BOTANICES PROFESSORIS: PHYTOGRAPHIA CURIOSA, EXHIBENS ARBORUM, FRUTICUM, HERBARUM & FLORUM ICONES, DUCENTIS & QUADRAGINTA QUINQUE TABULIS AD VIVUM DELINEATIS AC ARTIFICIOSISSIME AERI INCISIS. VARIAS EARUM DENOMINATIONES, LATINAS, GALLICAS, ITALICAS, GERMANICAS, BELGICAS, ALIASQUE, EX PROBATISSIMIS ANTHORIBUS, PRISCIS AC NEOTERICIS, DESUMPTAS COLLEGIT & ADJECIT FRANCISCUS KIGGELAER, BOTANOPHILUS.
Amsterdam, 1713
This remarkable volume was purchased many years ago by Mrs. Mellon because of its unusual composition and depiction of the many types of plants from Munting's early travels across Europe.
5. Reed, Chester Albert (1876-1912)
FLOWER GUIDE – REVISED AND WITH NEW ILLUSTRATIONS – WILD FLOWERS EAST OF THE ROCKIES BY CHESTER A. REED – AUTHOR OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS' EGGS, BIRD GUIDE, ETC. WITH 320 FLOWERS IN COLOR, PAINTED BY THE AUTHOR
Garden City, New York, Doubleday, Page & Co., 1920
This small tome was a very special gift from Mrs. Mellon's grandfather, Arthur Houghton Lowe (1853-1932). It traveled with her routinely, giving her the knowledge and ideas to learn and grow plants. He was a great teacher and influence - giving her a genuine appreciation for nature and learning.
We hope that these unique titles will continue to inspire and teach people who are interested in gardening and plants. We welcome your comments and any research inquiries. Enjoy!
Landscape Architecture Collection
From the earliest of civilizations to the present day, the designing of garden spaces for practical and aesthetic purposes has been documented and recorded in many art forms. Here, at the Oak Spring Garden Library, Rachel Lambert Mellon has collected many rare books, manuscripts, drawings, and prints relating to this subject. As a gardener and garden designer herself, she has used these works as a guide and teaching tool for her own personal endeavors. With the help of Andrew McRobb (Kew Gardens) and William Robertson (The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation) we have begun digitizing some of these volumes with a new 'Leaf Digital-Back Camera.'
1. Plans de quelques pieces de Trianon
French School – Plans de quelques pieces de Trianon – [plans of Marly]. Circa 1699. Folio album containing seven double-page plans in pen, pencil, and watercolor; bound in full tan calf with gilt arms of Louis XV (1710-1774) on covers; title leaf and first drawing stamped: Château de la Roche Guy Bibliothèque.
2. Le Delizie della Villa di Castellazzo Descritte in Verso Dall' Abbate Domenico Felice Leonardi Lucchese Fra gli Arcadi Ildosio Foloetico
Domenico Felice Leonardi and Marc' Antonio Dal Re (1697-1766) – Le Delizie della Villa di Castellazzo Descritte in Verso Dall' Abbate Domenico Felice Leonardi Lucchese Fra gli Arcadi Ildosio Foloetico. Milan, 1743. 24 hand-colored etchings in tan paper portfolio; text (poem) bound in decorative Italian wrappers.
3. Hortorum Viridariorumque
Hans Vredeman de Vries (1527-circa 1604) - Hortorum Viridariorumque elegantes & multiplicis formae, ad architectonicae artis normam affabre delineatae. a Johanne Vredmanno Frisio - Philippus Gallaeus excudebat Antuerpiae. 1583. Engraved title-page and 34 engraved plates; bound in quarter calf and brown paste paper boards.
4. Parcs et Jardins
Victor Jean Baptiste Petit (1817-after 1863) – Parcs et jardins des environs de Paris nouveau recueil de plans de jardins et petits parcs dessinés à vol d'oiseau dans les genres Français, Anglais, Suisse, etc. Variés de forme et de grandeur et accompagnés de constructions formant l'ornementation des jardins pavillons, chalets, chaumières, kiosques, belvédères orangeries, serres, pigeonniers, ponts, cascades, rochers, grottes, berceaux, etc. par Victor Petit auteur des Maisons de Campagne, des Habitations Champêtres, etc. Paris, Monrocq Frères Editeurs du Journal L'Ecole de Dessin, du Praticien Industriel, du Dessin Linéaire Industriel, des Maisons de Campagne, Etc. Circa 1840. 50 chromolithographs; bound in quarter green leather and black paper boards.
5. Grundris des Hoch-Fürstl. Lust-Gartens mit dem Schloss der Hertzogl
Johann Baptist Homann (1664-1724) - Grundris des Hoch-Fürstl. Lust-Gartens mit dem Schloss der Hertzogl. Residenz zu Hildburghausen. in Kupfer heraus-gegeben von Joh. Bapt. Homann Der Röm. Kays Mai. Geographo in Nürnberg. Circa 1720. Three double-page etchings, hand-colored; bound in modern quarter calf and decorative paper boards.
6. Cieraad der Lusthooven
Cieraad der Lusthooven, bestaande in allerhande soorten van Drooge en Natte Kommen, Parterres, Graswerken en Fonteynen. Tot dienst van alle Liefhebbers der Buite-plaatzen. Kunstig by eengesteld door J.V.D.M. Leyden, By Hendrik en Daniel van Damme, 1730. Engraved and etched half title, plus 24 engraved and etched plates; bound in half red morocco and pink paste paper boards.
7. Le Jardin de Plaisir
André Mollet (d. circa 1665) – Le Jardin de Plaisir, Contenant plusieurs desseins de Jardinage tant Parterres en Broderie, Compartiments de gazon, que Bosquets, & autres. Avec un Abbregé de l'Agriculture, touchant ce qui peut estre le plus utile & necessaire a la Construction & accompagnement dudict Jardin de plaisir. Composé & divisé en onze chapitres par André Mollet Maistre des Jardins de la Serenissime Reine de Suede. A Stocholme, Chez Henry Kayser, 1651. Engraved portrait of Claude Mollet (circa 1564-circa 1649) and 30 engraved and etched plates; bound in 19th century half green morocco and marbled boards.
Special Digitizing Project
Click here to view the Loudon Manuscript
LOUDON, JOHN CLAUDIUS (1783-1843)
SKETCHES OF THE ALTERCATIONS AND ADDITIONS PROPOSED TO BE MADE ON BARNBARROW HOUSE. THE PROPERTY & RESIDINCE OF ROBERT… AGNEW ESQR. LONDON 8TH APRIL 1806
London, 1806 and circa 1820-1841
Oblong manuscript comprises title-page in ink; 24 pen and ink, wash, and watercolor drawings (mounted to leaves) measuring between 4 x 6 inches to 13 ¼ x 20 ½ inches; folded manuscript leaves in paper sleeve pasted to rear paste-down endpaper. In quarter polished brown calf and marbled paper over boards; spine gilt. Spine height: 13 ¾ inches.
Click here to view the Catesby Images
CATESBY, MARK (1683-1749)
HORTUS EUROPAE AMERICANUS: OR, A COLLECTION OF 85 CURIOUS TREES AND SHRUBS, THE PRODUCE OF NORTH AMERICA; ADAPTED TO THE CLIMATES AND SOILS OF GREAT-BRITAIN, IRELAND, AND MOST PARTS OF EUROPE, &C. TOGETHER WITH THEIR BLOSSOMS, FRUITS AND SEEDS; OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR CULTURE, GROWTH, CONSTITUTION AND VIRTUES. WITH DIRECTIONS HOW TO COLLECT, PACK UP, AND SECURE THEM IN THEIR PASSAGE. ADORN'D WITH 63 FIGURES ON 17 COPPER-PLATES, LARGE IMPERIAL QUARTO. BY MARK CATESBY, F.R.S.
London: Printed for J. Millan, near Whitehall. 1767. Price colour'd Il. IIs. 6d.
Quarto. 15 leaves with four engraved and etched plates per leaf. Two full page engraved and etched plates. Contemporary tree calf with gilt borders on covers; spine gilt; spine re-backed with original leather. Spine height: 15 inches. Bookplate: "The Honble. Shute Barrington LLD. Lord Bishop of Durham."
Click here to view the Smith Manuscript
THE FRUITS OF THE LIMA MARKET. BY MRS.. D.E. SMITH, BETWEEN THE YEARS 1850 & ’’53
Peru, 1850-1853
Manuscript comprises: title-page in pencil; 30 watercolors all measuring approximately 14 ¾ x 21 1/8 inches (one is a folding leaf measuring 30 ½ x 20 ¼ inches)bearing botanical names in pencil; three blank leaves. Each drawing has been mounted onto a leaf with a manuscript label bottom center, presumably in the hand of the artist, identifying the fruit and the height of the tree. Bookplate: “Crewe Hall/Inferior Sequor Nec.” Bound in three-quarter green morocco and green cloth. Spine tooled in gilt. Spine height: 21 inches.
Click here to view the De Geest Manuscript
JARDIN DE RARES ET CURIEUX FLEURS FAICTES PR. FRANCOIS DE GEEST DE LEOVARDE EN FRISE - [Holland], circa 1660
Manuscript comprises title-page; pencil and ink wash drawing of an Italian garden corner by Adam Pynacker (Dutch, 1622-1673); 101 bodycolors on vellum (some with pencil), all tipped-in, each with protective paper leaf and each measuring about 11 ½ x 7 ½ inches. The drawings contain several flowers and they are identified in manuscript. Bound in 18th century Dutch marbled calf with gilt panels and large center ornaments incorporating the letters GH; a.e.g.; spine richly gilt in seven compartments and lettered: ‘Bloem Boeck Door P. F. Geest.’
Click here to view the Duhamel Images
Duhamel du Monceau, Henri Louis (1700-1782) - TRAITE DES ARBRES FRUITIERS; CONTENANT LEUR FIGURE, LEUR DESCRIPTION, LEUR CULTURE, &C. PAR M. DUHAMEL DU MONCEAU, DE L’ACADEMIE ROYALE DES SCIENCES, DE LA SOCIETE ROYALE DE LONDRES; DES ACADEMICS DE PETERSBOURG, DE PALERME, & DE L’INSTITUT DE BOLOGNE; HONRAIRE DE LA SOCIETE D’EDIMBOURG, & DE L’ACADEMIE DE MARINE; ASSOCIE A PLUSIEURS SOCIETES D’AGRICULTURE; INSPECTEUR GENERAL DE LA MARINE. TOME PREMIER [-TOME SECOND]. Paris: Chez Saillant, Libraire, rue Saint Jean de Beauvais. Desaint, Libraire, rue du Foin. Avec Approbation et Privilege du Roi.
Click here to view the Luton Hoo Images
TAYLOR, SIMON (English, 1742-1796)
Flowering plants from the gardens of Lord Bute at Luton Hoo
Luton Hoo, Bedfordshire, circa 1770
Manuscript consists of 46 bodycolors and watercolors on vellum, measuring approximately 19 ½ x 13 3/8 inches, all mounted on sheets of paper with watercolor-ruled borders. All inscribed with the plant name and numbered 1-46. Rebound in original full red morocco; gilt; a.e.g.; arms of Earl of Bute stamped in gilt. On leather labels on spine: "Plants by Taylor." In a half vellum and decorative paper box-case. Spine height: 26 inches.
Click here to view the Saint-Aubin Images
SAINT-AUBIN, CHARLES GERMAIN DE (French, 1721-1786)
RECEUIL DE PLANTES COPIEES D'APRES NATURE PAR DE SAINT AUBIN DESSINATEUR DU ROY LOUIS XV. 1736-1785.
France, 1736-1785
Manuscript comprising two leaves of manuscript text: "Histoire de Charles Germain de Saint Aubin, Dessinateur du Roi, auteur de ce livre," and "Généalogie des Saint Aubin"; title-page (watercolor on vellum with gilt lettering); 231 leaves of plants, mostly watercolors, some ink wash, some red pastel, some on blue paper; leaf number 231 has Saint Aubin's etched trade card pasted on verso; one leaf containing another of Saint-Aubin etched trade card and his bookplate; six etched plates pasted in including title-page, "Les Fleurettes de Saint Aubin dessinateur du Roy;" 20 leaves of plants and birds, mostly watercolors, some ink wash, some red pastel; manuscript on verso of last watercolor leaves; two leaves of manuscript text containing an index of the plants illustrated within. The recto of each leaf is numbered by hand in the upper right corner (fols. 1-258); the name and a description of the plant appear in manuscript, as well as a date between 1740 and 1786. Mottled brown calf; re-backed with original floriated gilt and gilt lettering: 'Sepecet De La Natur'. In half vellum and cloth box-case. Spine height: 15 7/8 inches.
Oak Spring Garden Library Volumes
Click here for a preview of An Oak Spring Sylva
An Oak Spring Sylva is the first of a series of catalogues describing selections of the rare books, manuscripts, works of art, and related artifacts in the Oak Spring Garden Library, a collection fromed by Rachel Lambert Mellon.
This publication, discusses books and manuscripts on trees, is the smallest volume of the series, describing nearly fifty books, manuscripts, or drawings, from a tiny 1555 book on oaks to early nineteenth-century advice on large-scale tree-planting, a range including both great books, like Evelyn's Sylva, Duhamel's Traite des Arbres, and Michaux's North American Sylva, and more modest ones, like Marshall's American Grove, which helped introduce the riches of American forests to European gardens in the eighteenth century. Each description makes clear the background of each book and its relationship to others, while a generous number of illustrations in color and black and white help to give an impression of their contents.
Click here for a preview of An Oak Spring Pomona
An Oak Spring Pomona is the second book in the series.
The Pomona describes one hundred books and manuscripts about fruit, with illustrations taken from some of the most beautiful books on the subject, as well as from original drawings and paintings. The earliest book described is Bussato's Giardino di Agricoltura of 1592, the latest The Herefordshire Pomona, and encyclopedia of apples and pears from the 1870s. In between there is a gathering of fruit books large and small: La Quintinie's Instruction pour les Jardins Fruitiers, first published in 1690 and translated by John Evelyn three years later, Duhamel's Traite des Arbres Fruitiers, and nearly fifty others from France and Britain, among them Brookshaw's giant Pomona Britannica and a handful of pocket-sized books of directions for grafting and cultivating the best varieties available.
Click here for a preview of An Oak Spring Flora
An Oak Spring Flora is the third book in the series.
This authoritative and magnificently illustrated presentation of the art of flower depiction in the West is the third volume in a series of catalogues that describe the rare-in some cases unique-books, manuscripts, and other works of art conserved at Oak Spring Garden Library, a collection formed over many years by Rachel Lambert Mellon. The author, Lucia Tongiorgi Tomasi, has selected more than one hundred items from Oak Spring's extensive holdings, which include superb manuscript florilegia, botanical prints, books of instruction of every kind, still-life and vanitas paintings, and various ornamental ceramics and textiles. Among them are examples by some of the greatest names ever to have worked in either scientific or decorative botanical art-Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues, Georg Dionysius Ehret, Nicolas Robert, and Pierre Joseph Redoute.
Click here for a preview of An Oak Spring Herbaria
An Oak Spring Herbaria is the fourth book in the series.
by Lucia Tongiorgi Tomasi
This authoritative and magnificently illustrated book on herbals is the fourth volume in a remarkable series of catalogues that describes rare books, manuscripts, and other works of art conserved at the Oak Spring Garden Library, Upperville, Virginia, a collection formed over many years by Rachel Lambert Mellon. Previously published volumes include An Oak Spring Sylva on trees, An Oak Spring Pomona on fruit, and An Oak Spring Flora on flowers.
For An Oak Spring Herbaria, the author has selected sixty-three works from the Library’s extensive collections. The volume is thematically organized and arranged into the following chapters : ‘Late Medieval Herbals’; ‘The Great Age of Renaissance Botany’; ‘Herbals and Plants from Distant Lands’; ‘Herbals by Herbalists, Pharmacists, and Physicians’; ‘Herbals of the Botanical Gardens and Private Gardens of Europe’; ‘Curious and Strange Herbals’; ‘Dried Specimens and Nature Printing’; and ‘American Herbals.’