PBA Galleries

First Series. Two volumes in four. 94 (of 96) mounted chromolithograph plates, some finished by hand, interleaved with descriptive letterpress. (Folio) 67x50 cm (26½x19½") period three-quarter green morocco and cloth, spines gilt, all edges gilt. No. 88 of 100 copies of the Imperial Edition, signed by Sanders at the limitation. First Edition.

Named in honor of Professor Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach (1824-1889), of Hamburg, Germany, "the great Orchidologist who devotes his life to the study of the orchid family". Live-size illustrations of various orchid species by Henry G. Moon and others. The growing popularity of Orchids, and the ever-increasing demand for information respecting them, is sufficient reason for issuing the present work ... It will be our aim to represent truthfully the natural aspect of the plants, which will be drawn life size ... Some of the plant portraits will be coloured by lithography, others will be hand painted when found expedient ... It is our intention to illustrate all classes of the Orchid family" (from introduction). Nissen, BBI 1722, Great Flower Books 75 ("An important and authoritative work for orchid growers"."). Sold for the benefit of the Friends of Honolulu Botanical Gardens.