

Although the work was a collaborative effort between Linden, G. Lüddemann, J.E. Planchon and M.G. Reichenbach, the editorial control remained with Linden. A native of Luxembourg, Linden moved to Belgium in his youth and during his working life was responsible for the importation of over 1100 different orchid species. He was "An orchid hunter par excellence.. [and] was the first to search the mountain regions diligently for his orchids. In so doing, he was able to obtain many cool-temperature plants for his sponsors in Belgium. After ten years in the western hemisphere, Linden returned to work in Brussels in 1845, where with his son, Lucien, he founded Horticulture Internationale, the first major commercial competitor of the British orchid house Messrs. Sander" ('The Orchid Observed' no.16 ). The work was published in 12 monthly parts, each containing 4 plates, beginning on 1 June 1854, and forming a single "magnifique volume in-folio."