HOOKER, J.D. (1817-1911) and W.H. FITCH, illustrator (1817-1892) - photo 1
HOOKER, J.D. (1817-1911) and W.H. FITCH, illustrator (1817-1892) - photo 2
HOOKER, J.D. (1817-1911) and W.H. FITCH, illustrator (1817-1892) - photo 3
HOOKER, J.D. (1817-1911) and W.H. FITCH, illustrator (1817-1892) - photo 4
HOOKER, J.D. (1817-1911) and W.H. FITCH, illustrator (1817-1892) - photo 5

HOOKER, J.D. (1817-1911) and W.H. FITCH, illustrator (1817-1892)

Lot 151
13.12.2023 11:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 6 048
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 1105705
Lot 151 | HOOKER, J.D. (1817-1911) and W.H. FITCH, illustrator (1817-1892)
Estimate value
£ 6 000 – 8 000
HOOKER, J.D. (1817-1911) and W.H. FITCH, illustrator (1817-1892)

Illustrations of Himalayan Plants chiefly selected from drawings made for the late J.F. Cathcart Esq. London: Lovell Reeve, 1855.

First edition of ‘One of the finest flower books ever produced’ (Jan Lewis). As Hooker writes in his introduction, he wished the present work to stand as a tribute to, and a record of, James F. Cathcart's (1802-1851) contributions to the field of botany. Cathcart, despite poor health, spent a significant proportion of his life recording the flora of the Himalayas with the aid of ‘native artists’ (he employed up to six working full-time). He was to have provided Hooker with £1000 to pay for ‘a work similar to the Sikkim-Himalaya Rhododendrons, and to distribute it to the principal botanists and scientific establishments in Europe.’ He sent ahead nearly 1000 drawings, but unfortunately died in Lausanne on his journey back to Britain. The work was eventually financed partly by Cathcart's family, partly by subscription, and partly by subsequent sales. Most of the plates were re-drawn by Fitch; in addition Hooker supplied a number of his own drawings of ‘alpine plants found at greater elevation than Mr. Cathcart was enabled to visit.’ The results include, according to Patrick Synge (writing in Great Flower Books [1990]) ‘probably the finest plates of Magnolia campbellii and Meconopsis simpliciifolia ever made.’ Great Flower Books (1990), p.60; Jan Lewis, Walter Hood Fitch: A Celebration, 1992, p.16; Nissen BBI 910; Stafleu & Cowan 2973.



Folio (506 x 370mm). Hand-coloured lithographic title, dedication, list of subscribers, 4 pp. introduction and ‘Explanation of the plants’ leaf, index at rear, 24 hand-coloured lithographic plates by W.H. Fitch (lacking letterpress title, the preliminary leaves slightly misbound, coloured title with 50 marginal tear with old tape repair just touching two petals in the image, some occasional faint spotting and marginal soiling). 20th-century green half morocco, original printed board mounted on front cover, gilt spine (upper cover slightly abraded and defective at fore-edge, extremities lightly rubbed, spine fractionally faded). Provenance: Arpad Plesch (red leather booklabel; sold Sotheby’s 17 November 1975, lot 355).

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