Conrad Loddiges and Sons | The botanical cabinet, London, 1818[-1832], 19 vols (of 20), contemporary calf gilt

Conrad Loddiges and Sons

The botanical cabinet, consisting of coloured delineations of plants from all countries, with a short account of each, directions for management &c.&c. London: Published by John and Arthur Arch, Cornhill, 1818 [-1832].

19 volumes (lacking volume 20), 4to (215 x 161mm.), 19 engraved title pages, 1900 hand-coloured engraved plates by George Cooke (some folding), volume indices and index to the first 10 volumes in volume 10, contemporary gilt calf with blind tooled border, lozenge stamped centre, spines gilt, marbled edges, marbled endpapers, original silk ties, occasional foxing and light staining, some offsetting, light wear on head and foot of spine and bumped corners

The large paper edition of this collection of decorative, hand-coloured plates depicting international rare plants and flowers grown at Loddiges’ nursery in Hackney, with descriptions. Conrad Loddiges (1738-1826) was a Dutch horticulturist who emigrated to Hackney in circa 1761. The collection, which was originally serialised as a magazine, was edited by his son George (1784-1846), who also inherited the family nursery business.

The Loddiges nursery was the pre-eminent plant nursery that traded rare and exotic plants from as far as Australia. The invention of the Wardian Case, an early type of terrarium, allowed for plants to be kept healthy and alive on these long voyages. It was known for its arboretum, which had a significant flow of visitors including Charles Darwin and John James Audubon.

LITERATURE:

Dunthorne 187; Great Flower Books, p. 85; Nissen BBI 2228; Stafleu TL2 914

PROVENANCE:

Eustace James Anthony Balfour, armorial bookplates to front pastedowns (except volumes 17 and 19)