Very good copy of Volume XXX (30) of Edwards's Botanical Register, 1844
Complete with all 67 (5 folding) hand-coloured botanical plates (No. 1-67).
The majority by talented woman botanical artist Miss Sarah Drake.
Includes 21 exotic species of showy orchids (Cattleya, Laelia, Oncidium, Bulbophyllum, Encyclia, Calanthe, Prosthechea, Anguloa, Diaphananthe, Polystachya, Pinalia, Bromheadia, endangered Aerides odorata, etc.), as well as sacred lotus, hibiscus, lupine, mountain hydrangea, crocus, astiria, rocktrumpet, Kashmir sage, hill glory bower, etc.
The Botanical Register was launched by Sydenham Edwards in 1815 following his departure as main illustrator to William Curtis's Botanical Magazine. Edwards edited the magazine and drew most of the plates in 14 volumes until his death in 1828. John Lindley then took over as editor on a further 19 volumes under the title Edwards's Botanical Register from 1829 to 1847. By 1832, Miss Drake had become the main illustrator of the magazine, and she would go on to draw over 1,000 plates.
Miss Drake or Sarah Anne Drake (1803-1857) was born in Skeyton, Norfolk in 1803. As a young woman, she studied in Paris. In 1830, Lindley invited Miss Drake to live with his family in Acton Green. She soon became Lindley's artist-in-residence and also governess to his three children. She was active artistically for about 15 years, from 1831 to 1847, and was so prolific and talented that she ranks with the most admired artists of her time. She drew or painted approximately 1,300 new plants (including 350 orchids) and engraved 60 of them. She also illustrated James Bateman's monumental Orchidaceae of Mexico and Guatemala with Augusta Withers from 1837. Her botanical career ended when the Botanical Register ceased publication in 1847. She then returned to Norfolk and married John Hastings, a local farmer. She died from diabetes in 1857 at age 54.
John Lindley (1799-1865) was first Professor of Botany at the University of London, Assistant Secretary to the Royal Horticultural Society, editor of the Botanical Register and a talented botanical artist in his own right. His many books include Rosarum Monographia 1820, The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants 1835, Ladies Botany (illustrated by Sarah Drake) 1838 , Sertum Orchidaceum 1838, Paxton's Flower Garden 1853, etc.
Half dark green leather binding, title, volume and plate numbers in gilt on spine, scuffed along the hinges, a few marks on the drab boards, but binding solid. Some faint offsetting from text to plates, but botanical plates still bright and clean with vibrant hand colour, no foxing or spotting.
With 92 pages of Miscellaneous Matter and index to the Botanical Register from 1838 to 1844 bound in at rear.
Armorial bookplate of English brewer and bibliophile Henry Perkins (1777-1865) of Hanworth Park, Middlesex, on front endpaper.
(JP)
