New-Englands Rarities Discovered: in Birds, Beasts, Fishes, Serpents and Plants of that Country. London: Giles Widdowes, 1672.
A-G⁸ H⁶. [2 blank], [4], 114, [2 ad], [1] pp. Woodcut printer's mark (of a dragon) at end. Woodcut folding plate and 11 woodcut botanical illustrations in text. 16mo (142 x 90 mm). Early blind-ruled calf remboitage; morocco pull-off case. Lacking front free endpaper, binding a little rubbed.

FIRST EDITION OF THE FIRST SYSTEMATIC ACCOUNT OF NEW ENGLAND BOTANY. VERY RARE COMPLETE. Josselyn was in New England for 8 years, beginning in 1663. He includes a wealth of information on New England plants and animals such as turkeys, loons, wolves, raccoons, porcupines, beaver, rattlesnakes, squashes, watermelon, cranberries, and catfish. Tobacco is also referred to. The details on medicinal uses record native Indian knowledge and treatments. According to Vail this is "the earliest work on the natural history and Indian remedies of New England." Church 618; Howes J255; Sabin 36674; Vail 160, Wing J1093.
Provenance: bookplate of Cholmondeley Library, bookplate of C.R. Richmond, sold at Sotheby Parke-Bernet in 1975.
Acquisition: Laird Park sale, Sotheby's New York, Nov 29, 2000, lot 186, $16,800.