SOWERBY, John Edward. The Ferns of Great Britain. Illustrated by John E. Sowerby, proprietor of Sowerby’s English Botany. The descriptions, synonyms, &c by Charles Johnson, Esq., botanical lecturer at Guy’s Hospital. First edition. [4], 87, [1]p., hand-coloured frontispiece and 49 uncoloured plates. A very good copy bound in contemporary dark green half calf, marbled boards and edges. Blind tooled spine with wide gilt bands and red morocco label. Some scattered foxing. Ownership name dated 1856 at head of the title-page. 8vo. John E. Sowerby. 1855. ~ John Edward Sowerby (1825-1870) was a botanical illustrator and publisher. A member of the Sowerby family, he was eldest son of Charles Edward Sowerby and grandson of James Sowerby. John inherited a taste for botanical drawing, and in 1841 produced his first work - the plates for his father's Illustrated Catalogue of British Plants.