Lot 130
  • 130

Warner, Robert; Benjamin S. Williams; Thomas Moore

Estimate
15,000 - 25,000 USD
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Description

  • paper
The Orchid Album, comprising Coloured Figures and Descriptions of New, Rare, and Beautiful Orchidaceous Plants. London: B. S. Williams at the Victoria & Paradise Nurseries, 1882-1897

11 volumes, 4to (12 x 9 1/2 in.; 305 x 242 mm). Half-title in each volume, 528 (on 527) lithographed plates by and after John Nugent Fitch, partly hand-colored, partly color-printed, plates 9/10 consist of one folding plate, wood-engraved portrait of Williams in vol. 9; occasional very light marginal browning. Publisher's brown cloth stamped in gilt and black with title on upper covers and on spine, edges gilt; extremities rubbed, small tears at head of spine in five volumes.

Literature

Nissen BBI 2107; Stafleu TL2 6282 [under Moore]

Condition

occasional very light marginal browning. Publisher's brown cloth stamped in gilt and black with title on upper covers and on spine, edges gilt; extremities rubbed, small tears at head of spine in five volumes.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

First edition, superb, fresh plates. Begun by Williams with the idea of supplying a demand for orchid illustrations with botanical descriptions and notes on cultivation. The obituary of Williams included in volume 9, remarks that this book has been "hailed with great satisfaction in horticultural circles throughout the world, and it numbers amongst its subscribers nearly all lovers of Orchids and many of our leading and most influential horticulturalists." John Nugent Fitch (1840-1927) was the nephew of Walter Hood Fitch, and almost as prolific in output as a botanical artist. His original drawings for this work are in the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London.