Wildeman, É. [A. J.] De
Etudes sur la flore du Katanga. [Complete in four parts].
Bruxelles, Musée du Congo, 1902-1913. Four parts in four. Folio (35.1 x 26.6 cm). 437 pp. [xii, 241; 180, (iv)]; 65 [46; 19] fine lithographed or phototype plates, of which several double-sized, folded. Original, near uniform printed portfolios.
The most important contribution to the flora of Katanga, a province of Congo (Kinshasa), formerly also known as Zaïre. Written by the Belgian pharmacist and botanist Émile Auguste Joseph de Wildeman (1866-1947). It contains descriptions and illustrations of herbs, shrubs and trees, and was supposed to be complete in three parts, published in the series, Annales du Musée du Congo publiées par ordre du secretaire d"état, Série Botanique. However, ten years after publication of the third part, an additional fourth part was published, which is often missing. The third portfolio wrongly lists p. 240 as the final page, but the text ends on p. 241; the fourth portfolio omits the listing of four unnumbered index pages. Library stamp on covers and in the blank margin of the first text page of the fourth part. Wrappers worn, especially at the lower edge a few plates within minor, marginal foxing; otherwise a very good, complete set. Nissen BBI, 2143. (citing only the first three parts).