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8vo [20 x 13 cm]; xi, 336, [xxii, ads with illus, including ads for books] pp, colored folding frontis of orchid (Odontoglossom vexillarium), numerous plates including folding, other illustrations (4 with added amateur color), index. original pictorial gilt cloth, gilt title lettering & decoration on spine, light wear at edges, foot of spine with small wear and repair, frontis with old tape repair, a very good copy. This work went through seven editions from 1852 to 1894, each giving the state of the art of orchid growing at the time and were all very influential and popular. This fifth edition added many species and descriptions that were introduced since the first edition of 1852, and many additional pages. According to Reinikka, through Williams' work "greater understanding of orchid culture was provided and orchids began to enjoy a new popularity as subjects for the average gardener". Glikbarg 31: 'Williams provided the stimulus that made orchid growing possible for the average gardener'. Each edition is sought by orchid book collectors. Horticultural Society of New York 235. Catalogue of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society 341. Duveen (303 April 1973, American Orchid Society): 'the author's renown today rests on this work.' A picture of this book is available on request.

WARNER, Robert [with] WILLIAMS, Benjamin Samuel. The Orchid Album, Comprising Coloured Figures and Descriptions of New, Rare, and Beautiful Orchidaceous Plants. Conducted by Robert Warner, F.L.S., F.R.H.S., Author of Select Orchidaceous Plants, and Benjamin Samuel Williams, F.L.S., F.R.H.S., Author of the Orchid Grower's Manual, etc. The Botanical Descriptions by Thomas Moore, F.L.S., F.R.H.S., Curator of the Chelsea Botanic Garden. The Coloured Figures by John Nugent Fitch, F.L.S. [Vol. IV and part of Vol. III] London, Published by B. S. Williams, 1885. FIRST EDITION. Large 4to. Only the fourth volume, complete, out of a set of eleven, plus a number of loose plates from Volume 3 (18 plates: Nos 100, 102-3, 107, 111-2, 114, 116, 118, 120, 127, 128, 130, 133-4, 138, 140, 143). Vol. 4 contains plates from 145 to 192 (of a grand total of 528 lithographic plates) by and after John Nugent Fitch, partly hand-coloured, partly colour-printed. A few slightly browned, without affecting the images. Bound in dark brown morocco leather, gilt title on left cover within gilt-tooled frame with angular floral decorative motives. Marbled pastedowns. Gilt spine in 6 compartments, rubbed. Some rubbing on cover edges. This work set the standard for orchid description and illustration. Orchidelirium is the name given to the Victorian era of flower madness when collecting and discovering orchids reached extraordinarily high levels. Wealthy orchid fanatics of the twentieth century sent explorers and collectors to every part of the world in search of new varieties of orchids. Nissen BBI 2107, Great Flower Books (1990) p.149.