The 96 varieties featured include 93 fruit trees (53 pear, 20 apple, 7 cherry, 7 peach and 6 plum) and 3 strawberry varieties. The plates were all executed by the Boston firm headed by William Sharp and are accompanied by text which gives the history of each variety, a full description, its growing habit, flower and fruit, and advice on its cultivation. It was intended by Hovey as an international show-case for what American pomologists had achieved, as well as an essential reference guide.

"The first major work executed entirely in chromolithography" [Reese]; "First published in parts in 1847, et. seq., and the finest work of its kind in the United States." [Sabin]

References: Sabin 33206; Reese 20; Arnold Arboretum/ Harvard 354; McGrath 112; Nissen, BBI 941

Quartos, Two Volumes. In Very Good condition. Bound in three-quarter green polished calf with marbled boards and paneled spines with gilt titling. Moderate wear and rubbing to bindings. Text block shows moderate foxing and light age toning throughout. Tissue-guards for most plates are lacking, causing some offsetting. Bound by E. Lycett, with their blind-embossed stamp to the first three endpapers of vol. I and first two endpapers of vol. II. Subscriber's list in vol. I. Title pages include wood-engraved vignettes. Frontispieces feature lithographic portraits of Hovey and William Sharp. Volumes include 96 chromolithographic plates by William Sharp & Son in addition to numerous woodcut illustrations.

CONTENTS: Vol. I. (xii, [4], 100 pages [interspersed with 48 full-page color plates]) -- Vol. II. (iv, 96 pages [interspersed with 48 full-page color plates]). Shelved in Case 3.