Orchids: The Royal Family of Plants

by Harriet Stewart Miner 

First edition.  Boston:  Lee and Shepard, 1885

Disbound volume is overall in GOOD AS IS condition, with VERY GOOD plates.

• Book is complete but disbound, lacking spine, front and back boards, and preliminary sheets.    
• Illustrations, 24 color chromolithographic plates, are bright and clear.  Heavy paper stock.
  • Plate #4:  small chip top right;
  • Plate #5:  small mark to right;
  • Plate #6:  paper from opposite page stuck to it;
  • Plate #7:  small mark;
  • Plate #9:  light paper sticking;
  • Plate #11:  small stain at right side, tiny chips to foot edge;
  • Plate #14:  chipped corners;
  • Plate #23:  minor surface crazing.
  • See photos for details of condition of plates.
• Interior exhibits marginal toning, some smudges, light edgewear, chipped corners.  See photos. 
• Inside pages are free of writing and intentional marks.
• Text block edges have All Edges Gilt (AEG). 
• PS2023.0720

90 pages plus 24 plates. 10.25 x 13.75 inches

First edition of the first American color plate book on orchids.  Harriet Stewart Miner (1840-1895), educated at Oberlin College, drew the illustrations from specimens in collections in Syracuse NY and North Easton MA.  The text offers botanical information about the members of the orchid family, as well as references to them in literature.

The book, even in disbound state, is a handsome production.  The plates are striking in composition, botanically correct, beautifully printed.  Among the orchids illustrated are varieties of Dendrobium, Masdevallia, Cattleya, Laelia, Phalaenopsis, Odontoglossum, Cypripedium, and others.

Plates are highly suitable for framing.

AS IS! Please see photos. More photos available upon request.

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