Description
The preface of Les Cypripediées explained its purpose: “The object of this work, as will be seen from the first part now issued, is to give a plate of each species of Cypripedium, with the principal varieties and some of the hybrids; accompanied with text giving the original description, whether it be in Latin, English or other language, together with the synonymy and references to all the important notices of the plants; followed by a detailed description, habitats, history and notes on cultivation in English and in French.”
Les Cypripediées was dedicated to the orchid cultivator J. Veitch and Sons, Chelsea, London: “Dédier à la maison VEITCH de Chelsea un ouvrage sur les CYPRIPEDIÉES, c’est chercher à acquitter une dette de reconnaissance pour toutes les joies que nous ont causes les introductions qu’ils ont faites et les hybrids qu’ils ont obtenus, dans ce beau genre.” [Dedicated to the house of Veitch of Chelsea, a work on the Cypripedia, it is to repay a debt of gratitude for all the joys they have brought us, through introducing us to this beautiful species and the hybrids that they have obtained.]
G. Severeyns was a leading Belgian lithographer of his period, who produced chromolithographs after various artists for many botanical books and publications, including Lindenia.
A. Godefroy-Lebeuf was a Parisian botanist and cultivator of orchids. Among his accomplishments was the naming of the genus Miltoniopsis, as well as having other orchid species named after him.
Condition: Generally very good with the usual overall light toning, wear, soiling, soft creases. Some occasional light foxing, not obtrusive.
Reference:
Blunt, Wilfred, rev. by Stearn, William T. The Art of Botanical Illustration. Woodbridge, Suffolk, England: Antique Collectors Club, 1994. p. 329.