Printed for Giles Calvert at the Black-Spread-Eagle at the West-end of Pauls, 1655. Small quarto book bound in 19th-century full-calf, red leather spine label.
Binding edges rubbed, bit more than moderate wear. Leaves (pages) age-toned, trimmed quite close, with top line on p 4 of prelims text affected. Book label of noted American book collector Samuel Latham Mitchell Barlow. The section on " The Reformed Virginian Silk-Worm " as noted on the title page is not present. Samuell Hartlib was a well-connected intellectual who corresponded with many prominent men in his day. The Reformed Common-Wealth of Bees. Gives the earliest known description of the octagonal three-storied hive, with a drawing of it by Christopher Wren the same individual who designed St. The hive was designed by Mr. William Mew, Vicar of Eastington, Glos. Who gave one to Dr. Wilkins of Wadham College, Oxford. It was seen and admired by Wren and John Evelyn.This unique hive was, in effect, the same hive that Gedde patented in 1675. The Scottish Stewarton hive of the early 1800s was very similar, though there is no proof that Robert Kerr knew anything about the earlier octagonal hive. Hartlib includes " How to make good Greek or other Wines out of Honey " and " A Receipt to make a pure Mead " and an early beekeeping bibliography is provided at the end as a, " A Catalogue of some writers of Bees extend in English ". Overall, a very rare and wonderful bee book and worthy of inclusion in the library of a lucky beekeeping history enthusiast. A 360+ YEAR OLD BOOK.
UNIQUE - RARE - FASCINATING! Images are Part of Description. The item "RARE 1655 Hartlib THE REFORMED COMMON-WEALTH of BEES Original Antique BEEKEEPING" is in sale since Wednesday, April 3, 2019. This item is in the category "Books\Antiquarian & Collectible". The seller is "anderobe" and is located in Pocatello, Idaho. This item can be shipped worldwide.