Lindley, John

FIRST EDITION, folio (540 x 355mm.), hand-coloured lithographed title, dedication to the Duke of Devonshire, 49 hand coloured lithographed plates, Miss Drake, Descourtilz, W. Griffith, Miss M.A. Mearns, and others, contemporary half calf, some slight browning, binding rubbed

Great Flower Books, p. 65; Nissen BBI 1205; Stafleu TL2 4651

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."

A SPECTACULAR LARGE-SCALE WORK ILLUSTRATING SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ORCHIDS KNOWN, selected by John Lindley, perhaps the greatest early orchidologist, drawn by Sarah Anne Drake and lithographed by Maxime Gauci. Although John Lindley is now known as a botanist of wide accomplishments, the study of orchids had been an area of special interest to him from early in his career when he was employed by the orchid specialist William Cattley. The present monograph is dedicated to another of Lindley's patrons, the Duke of Devonshire, and Lindley includes Joseph Paxton's notes on the growing of orchids at Chatsworth.