Between the 1597, 1633 and 1636 editions there were some differences in information the publishers, or editor (in the case of 1633 and 1636) included in the book.  For example, Jacob Thompson added six pages of his own “Letter to the Reader” in his 1633 edition.  This letter can be seen (and read) in “All is Fair in Plants and Printing 3.0.”  The front material also included a “Catalogue of Additions,” which was four leaves (or, 8 pages) long.

Page one of the “Catalogue of Additions” in the 1633 and 1636 editions of Gerard’s Herball, edited and expanded by Jacob Thompson.

In the 1597 edition, there was a colophon which was not present in the 1633, nor the 1636 editions.

Colophon in 1597 edition of the Herball.

The end material of the 1636 edition included a letter from Thompson to the reader, stating that there were no major changes between the 1633 and 1636 editions of the Herball.

Thompson’s “Advertisement to the Readers” at the end of the 1636 edition.