HOOKER, SIR JOSEPH DALTON | The Rhododendrons of Sikkim-Himal. London: Reeve, Benham, & Reeve, 1849-1851

HOOKER, SIR JOSEPH DALTON

The Rhododendrons of Sikkim-Himal. London: Reeve, Benham, & Reeve, 1849-1851

3 parts in one, folio (19 1/2 x 14 1/2 in.; 495 x 369 mm). Hand-colored lithographic frontispiece, title with tinted lithographic vignette, list of subscribers, section titles to parts 2 and 3, 29 plates, drawn on stone by John Nugent Fitch from drawings by J.D. Hooker, printed by Reeve, Benham & Reeve (12), Frederic Reeve (4) and Reeve & Nichols (14); minor toning. Original wrappers bound in at end, expertly bound to style in full green morocco, covers bordered in gilt, spine with raised bands in six compartments, lettered in the second, the others with a repeat overall decoration in gilt, brown paper endpapers.

Hooker's superb work on rhododendrons, one of the most attractive botanical books of the nineteenth century. Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817–1911) spent several years exploring Sikkim, as well as parts of Nepal and Tibet. His field notes were sent back to England from India to his father, Sir William Hooker, who edited this work, which contains beautiful illustrations of many of the best species of rhododendron along with accounts of their discovery. J. H. Hooker's studies of the geography and meteorology of the area were fundamental, and included the explanation of the terracing of mountain valleys by the formation of glacial lakes. The plates were lithographed by Walter Hood Fitch, the most prolific of all botanical artists. His work in association with Sir Joseph Hooker and J. H. Hooker is among his finest. "Fitch had the greatest competence of any botanical painter who has yet appeared in drawing the rhododendron …" (Great Flower Books).

REFERENCE:

Great Flower Books 101; Nissen 911; An Oak Spring Flora 104; Plesch sale 354; Sitwell & Blunt 60; Stafleu TL2 2969