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Botany.- Messager (J.) and J. Picquet, publishers. [Series of 6 copper engravings of floral bouquets in vases], reverse copies by Jean Theodor de Bry after paintings by Jacob Kempener, repair to lower corner of last plate, plates numbered '43-48' in ink at foot, some staining, modern calf-backed marbled boards, vellum tips, gilt spine with floral motif and red morocco label, 8vo (plates 248 x 163mm), [Paris], [c.1620s]. ⁂ An extremely rare suite of very beautiful bouquets in ornamental vases with grotesques based on an equally rare group of larger prints by Jean Theodor de Bry. The vases are depicted surrounded by insects and other small animals on a table-top. The plates are numbered lower left from 1 to 6 and the first engraving is signed on the table top in front to the left: 'I. Messager excudit' and to the right 'I. Pictet Incidit'. The other plates are signed to the left 'I Messager. ex.' (or with minor variations). Each plate has a ribbon below the vase with a Latin inscription. The inscriptions on the theme of transience comprise an emblematic text in hexameters based on the six Latin declensions of the word 'Flos' or flower and involve punning and word play. The originals were a series of six larger prints by Jan Theodor de Bry (1561-1623) produced in Frankfurt-am-Main about 1604 and titled Polyptoton de Flore (The many-sidedness of the Flower). Both the de Bry and the Messager suites are extremely rare. An incomplete set by Messager is in the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris.