In July 2015, a fourth edition of New Improvements of Planting and Gardening by Richard Bradley sold at Britannic Auctions for $108. This antique botanical book featured detailed copper plates showcasing 18th-century garden layouts, a greenhouse in three large foldouts, and Herefordshire Orchards: A Pattern for England. Among its many details, the book included directions on the layout and design of gardens using a kaleidoscope. This technique allowed gardeners to visualize intricate patterns before planting—a method still used in formal landscape design today.
Richard Bradley: The Botanist Behind the Book
Richard Bradley (1688–1732) was a self-taught botanist who became the first professor of botany at Cambridge in 1724. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he focused less on classification and more on practical applications. His writing blended horticultural advice with emerging scientific theories, making his works useful to both scholars and gardeners.
New Improvements of Planting and Gardening was one of his most influential books, published in multiple editions throughout the early 18th century. It explored the movement of sap in plants, methods for improving soil, and practical techniques for greenhouse cultivation. Bradley also introduced innovative design concepts, including kaleidoscopic garden layouts, a style that remains popular in formal landscaping today.
Sales of Other Editions at Auction
Over the years, collectors have sought out Bradley’s work. Several editions of this antique botanical book have surfaced at auction.
- A 1719 third edition, with over 340 pages and five fold-out plates, sold for $172 in 2007 through Ira & Larry Goldberg.
- A 1720 third edition, which included The Gentleman and Gardener's Kalendar, realized $209 in 2011. It featured fold-out plates on espalier heating and irrigation.
- A 1739 edition, featuring fifteen plates and rebound in grey hardboards, brought $231 in 2015.
Prices for this antique botanical book vary by edition, condition, and completeness. Collectors value copies with intact fold-out plates, original bindings, and minimal restoration.
Why Collect Antique Botanical Books?
Bradley’s contributions to gardening and botany left a lasting mark. His books were practical guides, but they also captured a period of scientific discovery and changing approaches to land cultivation. Today, an antique botanical book like New Improvements of Planting and Gardening appeals to collectors, horticulturists, and historians alike.
For those interested in acquiring antique books or selling their own, Britannic Auctions offers expert guidance. Sign up for our auction email alerts to stay informed about upcoming auctions. If you have antique botanical books to consign, contact us for a free auction estimate and let us help you find the right market.
