5 Orchidee - 1597

We propose a late-16th-century sheet devoted entirely to orchids, totaling 5 engravings drawn for "The Herball or generall Historie of Plantes" by John Gerard in his first edition of 1597. Gerard was the most prestigious plant scholar in English circles, alongside William Turner (c. 1508–1568) and John Parkinson (1567–1650); a keen observer, gardener and enthusiastic collector, skilled and brilliant in writing, John Gerard was actually a barber-surgeon, but he would go down in history as a botanist by virtue of this work. The sheet is in excellent condition with a slight marginal browning more pronounced at the bottom. Next to the Latin name of the orchids is the English one; indeed, since nomenclature was still far from developed, these are not scientific names but Latin common names with English translation. On the first (recto) page the Serapias Candido flore and the Serapias minor are wonderfully shown, with the bright blossoms at the top; the Serapias palustris latifolia and the Serapias palustris leptophylla in the lower half. On the opposite page is illustrated the Orchis Palmata Pannonica, surrounded by English text that describes the orchid family. All five engravings present an old, delicate coloring. Careful and prompt shipping.

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