BATEMAN, James (1811-1897). A Monograph of Odontoglossum. London: L. Reeve & Co., [1864-]1874.

BATEMAN, James (1811-1897). A Monograph of Odontoglossum. London: L. Reeve & Co., [1864-]1874.

First edition of Bateman's monograph on the Odontoglossum. Bateman, a pioneer of orchid culture, organized and paid for collectors to work in Mexico and South America, publishing two other lavish works on orchids (The Orchidaceae of Mexico and Guatemala, 1837-1843; and A Second century of orchidaceous plants, 1867), and was one of the first to advocate 'cool' orchid cultivation. 'Fitch (1817-1892), the most prolific of all botanical artists, was a typical product of the Victorian era, able and industrious... Some idea of Fitch's gigantic industry can be gauged from the [f]act that 9960 published drawings by him are recorded' (Blunt). Great Flower Books, p.49; Nissen BBI 88; Stafleu & Cowan 343.

Large folio (545 x 375mm). Half-title. 30 hand-coloured lithographed plates by W.H. Fitch (some scattered spotting). Contemporary half morocco, gilt-lettered on front cover (small scuff to upper cover, lightly rubbed). Provenance: Frederick du Cane Godman (bookplate).

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