A first edition of Clusius's magnum opus, containing approximately one hundred new species. A valuable collection of careful descriptions of rare plants, the Rariorum plantarum historia gathers accounts from Clusius's earlier botanical tours of Spain (Rariorum aliquot stirpium per Hispanias observatarum historia, 1576) and Austria and Hungary (Rariorum aliquot stirpium per Pannoniam, Austriam, et vicinas quasdam provincias observatarum historia, 1583) with extensive new material. The woodcuts present include 233 species from Spain and 356 from Austria and Hungary, with the entire volume holding over 1,100 woodcuts. Particularly notable are descriptions of tulips, which Clusius had introduced to the Netherlands with the establishment of the hortus academicus at Leiden in 1593, and the first printing of the Fungorum in Pannoniis observatorum brevis historia, the first treatise dedicated exclusively to mycology.

In the first part of Rariorum plantarum historia Clusius synthesizes the material presented in his works Rariorum aliquot Stirpium per Pannoniam et Austriam Observatarum Historia (1583) and Rariorum aliquot stirpium per Hispanias (1576), in which he describes the floras of Austria and Spain , together with descriptions of new plants. This first part is continued with Fungorum historia , the first published treatise on fungi, which was written by Clusius during his stay in Hungary. The work is profusely illustrated with almost 1,200 woodcuts, which include 233 species from Spain and 356 from Austria and Hungary.

Signatures: *6 A-Z6 a-f6 g8 AA-XX6 YY4 ZZ6 aa-dd6, with dedication page. USTC 1003396 STCV 6619526; Nissen 372.

Folio, [14], 364, CCCXX pages. In Good condition. Bound in period-style full calf with paneled spine and gilt titling. Boards show light rubbing and wear along with light mold stains. Some tide-marks throughout text block to the lower edge. Early ink crossed off on top edge of title page. Lacking three complete signatures: ee6, ff8, and gg6 (presumably at some point bound into this binding, as their remnants remain in the gutter). Page bb6 has a small burn hole, and page DD1 has a small open tear on the lower edge. This copy includes the engraved title page and scarce portrait. MK Consignment. Shelved in Case 4.