[HALE, Thomas]. Eden: or, a compleat body of gardening? London: printed for T. Osborne, T. Trye, S. Crowder and Co., and H. Woodgate, [1756?] 1757. 60 parts in one volume, folio (419 x 260 mm). Engraved frontispiece by Charles Grignon after Samuel Wale, additional leaf with a dedication to the Earl of Bute, 60 engraved botanical plates (offsetting to text, occasional spotting mostly marginal). Modern half niger over marbled boards, raised bands, burgundy spine labels gilt, all edges marbled. FIRST EDITION of this important work on gardening that was issued in 60 weekly parts between August 1756 and October 1757 and was intended as a companion to the Compleat Body of Husbandry (London, 1756). Although Thomas Hale was allegedly the source of the present work, authorship is often attributed to John Hill whose name alone appears at the close of the dedication and is seen solely on the title?page of the enlarged second edition of 1773. Henry III: 776; Hunt 559.