GERARD, John, c. 1545-1612. THE HERBALL.
Imprinted at London by John Norton, 1597.
Colophon: Imprinted at London by Edm. Bollifant, for Bonham and John Norton. M.D.XCVII (1597).
Folio. 33 cm.
Handwritten notes and page corrections.
Bookplate: Gift of Suzette Morton Davidson.
Handwritten inscription: William Darby his book 1706.
2144 woodcut illustrations in text and following text. Most woodcuts had been used in previous herbal publications. 1392 pages.
References: Hunt 175 Johnston Oak Spring 12.
GERARD, John, C. 1545-1612. THE HERBALL.
Very much Enlarged and Amended by Thomas Johnson, Citizen and Apothecarye of London.
London Printed by Adam Islip Joice Norton and Richard Whitakers, Anno (Year) 1636.
Folio, 35 cm.
Marbled end papers, handwritten notes, drawings, and coloring on some plant images, gilded fore-edge.
Bookplates: Penhallow
In Memoriam, Sterling Morton, Suzette Morton Zurcher, Donor
2779 woodcut illustrations of plants. 1630 pages.
References: Hunt 230 Oak Spring 12 Pritzel 3282
Author Note
Much of John Gerard’s background is cloaked in mystery although it is true that he was supervisor of three major gardens in England which made his reputation as a botanist. That reputation was solidified when John Norton asked Gerard to finish a translation of Dodoens Pemptades into English. It seems the original translator, a Dr. Priest, died suddenly and the work remained to be finished. Gerard took on the job and in the process borrowed heavily from the work of Matthias L’Obel while publishing The Herball in his own name. Although an accomplished writer, Gerard was no match for the accurate compilation of text, illustrations, and translations. Although L’Obel tried to assist in making corrections, Gerard insisted that the book go to press with known errors. Regardless of its inaccuracies, The Herbal was a great commercial success made even better by corrections by Thomas Johnson in later editions.
A common criticism of Gerard’s work was his inclusion of certain mythical plants such as the “goose tree” or “barnacle tree”. The “barnacle goose” was a creature that supposedly was hatched from the pod of a “barnacle tree” – a story that continued to appear in herbal literature even after it was disproved.
A common criticism of Gerard’s work was his inclusion of certain mythical plants such as the “goose tree” or “barnacle tree”. The “barnacle goose” was a creature that supposedly was hatched from the pod of a “barnacle tree” – a story that continued to appear in herbal literature even after it was disproved.