BATEMAN, JAMES | A Monograph of the Odontoglossum. London: Savill, Edwards & Co. for L. Reeve & Co., [1867-]1874

BATEMAN, JAMES

A Monograph of the Odontoglossum. London: Savill, Edwards & Co. for L. Reeve & Co., [1867-]1874

Folio (20 1/2 x 14 1/4 in.; 519 x 362 mm). Half-title. 30 hand-colored lithographed plates by Walter Hood Fitch, printed by Vincent Brooks or Vincent Brooks, Day & Son; some foxing, toning to text leaves. 20th-century blue morocco by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, covers panelled in gilt, with fillets and a decorative roll, spine in six compartments with raised bands, lettered in second and third, and with initials "H.C.S." and the date "1961" at the foot of the spine, the other compartments with double fillet borders around single large centrally-placed flower tools, all edges gilt, gilt turn-ins; minor rubbing to extremities.

First edition

"The range of the genus Odontoglossum is of a peculiar character, being at once restricted and extensive. It is restricted, for it never leaves the Andes, and it is extensive, for it is found in all parts of that vast mountain-chain... As yet no species has ever been met with at a lower elevation than 2500 feet above sea-level... Like the humming-birds which frequent the same mountains, and vie with them in beauty, nearly all the Odontoglossa are exceedingly local, and in this way two of the most beautiful species eluded discovery for many years, even in a region supposed to be well explored by collectors'' (Introduction).

''Fitch here shows incredible ability in dealing with complicated botanical specimens'' (Blunt, Great Flower Books).

REFERENCE:

Great Flower Books 49; Nissen, BBI 88; Stafleu & Cowan 343

PROVENANCE:

Clare Howard (Corley Castle, Carlisle, early pencil inscription on half title)