MICHAUX, François André [1770-1855] OAKS of the United States and of Canada Philadelphia (n.d) folio, sold by S. Bradford and Inskeep/Bernard Mac-Mahon, nurseryman, price three Dollars, with 26 black and white engraved plates after P.J. Redouté by Bessin, with fold-out index, the plates matched by actual dried leaves. Original boards, scuffed, lacking spine Michaux was a pioneering botanist. He published Histoire des Arbres Forestiers de l'Amerique Septentrionale in three volumes, 1810-1813 and was translated into English, 1811/1819. The hand coloured plates by Pierre-Joseph Redouté. This is an off-print of the Genus Quercus done for enterprising nurserymen in Philadelphia of the period. The carefully pressed and dried oak leaves were probably collected in the vicinity of Dawesfield, which was noted for its specimen trees. Provenance: Dawesfield House, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA Lots 92 - 175 form part of the original contents of Dawesfield, Lewis Lane, Ambler, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania - an iconic American farmhouse built by Abraham Dawes and by descent through generations of the female line. It served as the Revolutionary Headquarters of General George Washington from 20th October until 2nd November, 1777. The books (lots 133 - 160) are from the personal library of Dr. Thomas Chalkey James (1766 - 1835) who was married to Hannah née Morris. Dr James was a Philadelphia physician and joined the staff of Pennsylvania hospital. In 1810 he was elected professor of midwifery at the University of Pennsylvania. He favoured being part of the intellectual and scientific life of Philadelphia, Dr James was a member of the American Philosophical Society, the librarian of the College of Physicians and a founder of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. It is known that he preferred a quiet literary life at Dawesfield, which is witnessed by the categories of the books that were housed in the library.