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Adopt-a-Book

An Initiative of the Friends of the University of Adelaide Library

Sylva, or A discourse of forest-trees, and the propagation of timber in His Majesties dominions: As it was deliver'd in the Royal Society the XVth of October, 1662: to which is annexed Pomona: also Kalendarium Hortense

John Evelyn (1620-1706)
London : Printed for Jo. Martyn and Ja. Allestry, 1670

Rare Books & Special Collections
Strong Room Collection SR 634.9 E93

We thank our donor...

Conservation treatment of Sylva, or A discourse of forest-trees... was funded through the generosity of an anonymous donor in March 2015.

Synopsis

John Evelyn was an English diarist, writer, garden designer and friend of Charles II. He was a member of the group that founded the Royal Society in 1660 and he wrote the first book on the growing air pollution problem in London in 1661. Evelyn was renowned for his knowledge of trees, his treatise reputedly written as an encouragement to landowners to
plant trees that would provide timber for England's burgeoning navy. Sylva, or, A discourse of forest-trees… was a best-seller among English country gentlemen who regarded gardening and tree planting as an aesthetic exercise and an expression of status. The Library’s copy of Sylva is part of the Tom Barr Smith endowment.

Original Condition

Calf skin with gilt-tooled spine. Rear board detached entirely and front board starting, the result of stiffening of the glue used in a prior repair. Significant tears to the leather on the front board, and all board corners and edges bumped and chipped. Front endpaper torn, headband to tail of spine missing and previous, unsympathetic tape repair to title page.

Restoration by Anthony Zammit

Board edges and all corners reinforced with custom-dyed calf skin. Additional cords sewn into textblock to provide structural support, and four layers of Japanese paper used to reattach both front and rear boards. Deteriorating spine leather stabilised, and paper tears to front endpaper repaired with colour-matched Japanese paper.

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Barr Smith Library
South Australia 5005
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Contact

Phone: +61 8 8313 5224
special.collections@adelaide.edu.au