VERSCHAFFELT, A.

Nouvelle Iconographie des Camellias, contenant les figures et la description des plus rares, des plus nouvelles et des plus belles variétés de ce genre.

Eur 28,000 / USD 30,800
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Gand, Verschaffelt, 1848-1860. 13 volumes. Royal-8vo (265 x 175mm). With 623 chromolithographed plates. Contemporary blue half morocco, spines with gilt lines and lettering.

The work is considered the rarest of the botanical works published in Belgium in the 19th century

The work is considered the rarest of the botanical works published in Belgium in the 19th century. The famous de Belder collection had a complete set as the present one. The work was intended to be a continuation of Berlese, and on comparing both works the evolution of the Camelia during the last 20 years of that period can clearly be seen. At this time Gand was the world centre for the cultivation of Camelia. The excellent plates were chromolithographed by Severeyns and Stroobant, most probably the best chromolithograph printers of a period in which Belgium produced the most attractive botanical works illustrated by chromolithography.
"The work is one of the rarest and greatest of the nineteenth-century camellia iconographies. The Verschaffelts were a family of nurserymen specializing in camellias and published this book really as a catalogue of newly introduced species and recently developed hybrids which were available from their nurseries" (De Belder). Plate 4 of livraison 10 of the first volume was never published (see Stafleu & Cowan). Old library stamp on free endpaper.

Provenance: Armorial bookplate of Henry Rogers Brighton.

Stafleu & Cowan 16057; Nissen BBI, 2056 (quoting the wrong number of plates).