Sander, Henry Frederick Conrad

THE IMPERIAL EDITION, NUMBER 89 OF A LIMITED EDITION OF 100 COPIES, SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR AND WITH PLATES MOUNTED ON THICK CARD, first and second series in 4 volumes, folio (678 x 495mm.), text in English, French and German, 192 chromolithographed plates after Henry Moon and others, some finished by hand, mounted, contemporary morocco gilt by Zaehnsdorf

Earl Spencer, Althorp; John Rylands Library, armorial bookplate, gilt monogram on covers, sale, Sotheby's, 14 April 1988, lot 98; William A. McCarty-Cooper, sale, Christie’s, 25 January 1992, lot 94

Great Flower Books, p.75; Nissen BBI 1722; Stafleu TL2 10.129

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

THE MAGNIFICENT SPENCER-RYLANDS-MCCARTY-COOPER COPY OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR BOOK ON ORCHIDS EVER PRODUCED.

In his introduction Sander states: "The growing popularity of Orchids, and the ever-increasing demand for information respecting them, is sufficient reason for issuing the present work... It will be our aim to represent truthfully the natural aspect of the plants, which will be drawn life size... Some of the plant portraits will be coloured by lithography, others will be handed painted when found expedient... It is our intention to illustrate all classes of the Orchid family".

"By modern standards the work was of a monstrous size... Where the orchid was concerned, Sander never spared himself, but even so, the care lavished on the Reichenbachia still provokes astonishment. Apart from the elegance of Moon’s drawings, the technical standards would have been a tribute to any large printing house. The blocks were hand-made, out of wood; and the chromolithographs were produced by the use of as many as twenty inks. The cost to Sander was enormous, and it is said to have been well over £7,000... It is no wonder that Sander often remarked in later years that the project almost ruined him" (A. Swinson, Frederick Sander: the Orchid King, 1970).