Superb monograph on lilies.

Elwes became renowned for collecting specimens of lilies during trips to the Himalayas and Korea. Elwes' horticultural interests largely concentrated on bulbs, and he was said to have the finest collection in private hands. In 1880, he published the present magnificent work, written with assistance from J. G. Baker at Kew Gardens. To ensure that the text was as accurate as possible, and that the range of lilies was as complete as possible, he consulted the greatest botanical experts in the field for help in writing the text. This level of excellence was perpetuated in the illustrations, and Elwes was able to execute his plan to illustrate the monograph with hand-coloured plates by the best available botanical artist, with each member of the genus shown full-size. Between March 1877 and May 1880 subscribers received seven parts (at a total cost of seven guineas), illustrated with 48 plates by Walter Hood Fitch (1817–1892). In his garden he was able to grow many of the members of the Lilium genus becoming a recognized expert in the field.

The work was issued in several stages: the "Monograph" between 1877 and 1880 with 48 plates by Fitch; the first seven parts of the "Supplement" by A. Grove and A. D. Cotton between 1933 and 1940 with 30 plates by Lilian Snelling; and finally, parts VIII and IX by W. B. Turrill between 1960 and 1962 with plates by Margaret Stones. His work includes nearly all of the lilies then known in cultivation.

Limited edition; 2 vols, large folio (55 x 37 cm); 88 hand coloured lithographed plates by W. H. Fitch, one mounted photographic view by Bourne, 2 coloured maps, subscriber's note tipped in at rear, title-pages bound in the rear of both volumes, bookplates, some minor spotting throughout; bound in recent half-green morocco, spine gilt lettered and decorated; overall a very good copy.

Great Flower Books p56; Nissen BBI 594.