Orchid rare books and prints

First edition; folio (51 x 38 cm approx.); letterpress title, dedication leaf, list of subscribers, 4pp. introduction, explanation leaf, text, and index leaf. Lithographic additional title within an elaborate hand-coloured border, 24 hand-coloured lithographic plates by W.H. Fitch after Hooker and Fitch. Contemporary half morocco over marbled boards, an excellent example.

11 volumes 4to., 527 fine hand-coloured lithograph or chromolithograph plates (with tissue guards) by John Nugent Fitch (one double-numbered folding plate in volume I), some with tinted backgrounds; chromolithograph plate (Cypripedium Charlesworthii) from another work inserted in volume X. Original brown fine diagonal-rib cloth, gilt lettered spines and front covers, spines and front covers with floriate panelling in blind & black (back covers stamped in blind), untrimmed, endpapers yellow coated or with a pale grey or brown floriate pattern. Bookseller's ticket of David Bryce & Son, Glasgow. Rear joint of volume I split at foot but sound, scattered foxing to letterpress, plates clean and fresh. A very good set.