A Second Century of Orchidaceous Plants

Pp. viii, with 100 full-page hand-colored lithographs by W. Fitch, each plate is accompanied by one or two pages of descriptive text. Publisher’s original blind-stamped green pebble cloth, lettered in gilt on the spine and front cover, and with the stamped gilt seal (probably after Bateman) on the front cover, lg 4to (12.5 x 10 inches). This fine publication is completely separate work from Hooker’s volume ‘A Century of Orchidaceous Plants’ published in 1846. The Bateman volume consists of 100 fine hand-colored plates selected from orchids published in the ‘Curtis Botanical Magazine’ from 1846-1866. The selected images were the most attractive and easily cultivated orchidaceous plants. The larger format of the present work allowed these fine illustrations to be published without any folds. New and/or more complete descriptions of these orchids were provided by Bateman. The fine hand-coloring this work is superior to the Curtis Botanical Magazine images. Bateman is considered the leading expert on orchids in the 19th century. He is probably best known from his truly immense work ‘Orchidaceae of Mexico and Guatamala.’ See also Stafleu and Cowan 344, Pritzel 471 and Nissen BBI, 87. No previous ownership marks.