William Jackson Hooker Paintings & Artwork for Sale | William Jackson Hooker Art Value Price Guide

Jun. 19, 2024
Hooker, Sir William Jackson
Est: £1,200 - £1,500
Hooker, Sir William Jackson Curtis's Botanical Magazine London: Reeve, Brothers, 1845-1882, comprising volumes 1-38 of the third series, 8vo, 2532 hand-coloured plates, many volumes in original faded green cloth gilt, others possibly rebound neatly in green cloth gilt (38)
Lyon & Turnbull
Jun. 22, 2023
HOOKER, WILLIAM JACKSON. 1785-1865. A Century of Orchidaceous Plants selected from Curtis's Botanical Magazine ... accompanied by an introduction on the culture and general management by John Charles Lyons. London: Reeve, Benham and Reeve, 1849.
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
HOOKER, WILLIAM JACKSON. 1785-1865. A Century of Orchidaceous Plants selected from Curtis's Botanical Magazine ... accompanied by an introduction on the culture and general management by John Charles Lyons. London: Reeve, Benham and Reeve, 1849. 4to (308 x 240 mm). Half-title. 100 hand-colored plates by and after W.H. Fitch, 100 lithographic plates. Early 20th-century green half morocco by Zaehnsdorf, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, joints and corners lightly rubbed; occasional faint spotting. Provenance: Charlotte Anne Fletcher (signature on title). FIRST EDITION. The descriptions are by Sir William Hooker, director of the Royal Gardens at Kew, with beautiful plates by W.H. Fitch, 'the most outstanding botanical artist of his day' (Blunt). Stafleu & Cowan TL2 3015; Great Flower Books p 60; Nissen BBI 918 (1846 edition).
Bonhams
Apr. 18, 2023
Hooker, William Jackson: Botanical miscellany
Est: €200 - €300
Hooker, William Jackson. Botanical miscellany; containing figures and descriptions of such plants as recommended themselves by their novelty, rarity, or history, or by the uses to which they are applied in the arts, in medicine, and in domestic oeconomy. 3 Bände. Mit 142 zumeist kolorierten Kupfertafeln. 24 x 15 cm. Moderne Halblederbände mit RVergoldung, je 2 goldgeprägten RSchildern und Deckelbordüre. London, John Murray, 1830-1833. -- Nissen BBI 2356. – Von dem britschen Botaniker William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865) herausgegebene Zeitschrift. Hooker zählte durch seine Arbeiten zu Blütenpflanzen, Farnen und Moosen zu den bedeutendsten systematischen Botanikern seiner Zeit. – Etwas stockfleckig, die Schnittfarbe kräftig aufgetragen und teils in den Schnitt hineinlaufend.
Bassenge Auctions
Sep. 28, 2019
Victoria Regia Lithographs
Est: $20,000 - $30,000
HOOKER, Sir William Jackson (1785-1865) and FITCH, Walter Hood (1817-1892). Opening Flower, Open Flower, Analyses, Entire Lily Pad. Four Hand-Coloured Lithographs from Victoria Regia, or illustrations of the Royal Water-Lily. London: Bradbury & Evans for Reeve & Benham, 1851. 16 x 21 inches, 26 1/2 x 32 inches framed each. "One of the most celebrated plants from this period was the water-lily Victoria amazonica, originally called the Victoria regia by [John] Lindley in honour of England's reigning monarch. Discovered at the beginning of the century by European explorers, it created a veritable sensation in England when the eclectic and versatile Joseph Paxton (1803-1865) managed to coax the plant to flower [in 1849] while working at Chatsworth and Chiswick as head gardener for the Duke of Devonshire. (An Oak Spring Flora p.378). In his seminal work, in addition to the history of the plant's discovery and its physical description, Hooker gives information on the best method of cultivating the plant in temperate rather than tropical climates. The plates are by Walter Hood Fitch (1817-1892), and are one of Fitch's first great triumphs in the field of botanical illustration. He remained the chief (and usually sole) artist for the Botanical Magazine for forty-one years, producing over 9,000 drawings. The Duchess of Northumberland's enthusiasm for the flower was quite equal to the Duke of Devonshire's and the present work is dedicated to her by Fitch: an acknowledgment of the fact that Fitch was allowed to sketch the Syon Park example of the "vegetable wonder.
Arader Galleries
May. 17, 2016
Hooker, “The Rhododendrons of Sikkim-Himalaya,” London, 1849-51
Est: $5,000 - $6,500
Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817-1911) – British botanist and explorer Edited by William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865) – British botany professor and editor “The Rhododendrons of Sikkim-Himalaya; Being an Account, Botanical and Geographical, of the Rhododendrons Recently Discovered in the Mountains of Eastern Himalaya, from Drawings and Descriptions Made on the Spot, During a Government Botanical Mission to that Country.” London: Reeve and Co., 1849-51. First edition, first issue. First issue with circular profile of a man with the words “Nulla Dies” and “Sine Linea”, without colored vignette and “Second Printing” on title page Featuring 30 color plates Nissen BBI, 911; Stafleu-Cowan, TL2 2969; “An Oak Spring Flora”, pp. 388-391 Elephant folio (508 x 386); burgundy cloth covered boards with gilt lettering on front board and spine, blind embossed signature in rear pastedown, “Bound By David Stevens”. Housed in custom clamshell box Very good condition This work is based on the sketches that Joseph Dalton Hooker made during his travels to Sikkim (now part of India), Tibet, and Nepal. Hooker’s observations on the geology of the region are now fundamental to contemporary understandings of the area. Hooker’s father, Sir William Jackson Hooker saw the illustrations through to publication with plates by the botanical artist Walter Hood Fitch. A prolific artist in his day, Walter Hood Fitch’s produced much of his most exuberant and colorful works in association with Joseph and William Hooker. This is a particularly important oeuvre for botanists and horticulturalists, bringing together descriptions and plates of rhododendron species and accounts of discoveries. Joseph Dalton Hooker (British, 1817-1911) Hooker was the assistant director of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew from 1855 to 1865, and later the director from 1865 to 1885. Prior working at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Hooker spent years as a traveling surgeon-botanist on the HMS Erebus Antarctic expedition, 1839-43. After starting his position at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Hooker began to take more regular expeditions to places as far reaching as New Zealand, India, Morocco, and California. These travels were often punctuated by significant scientific publications. Hooker was awarded for his successes by a position as the president of the Royal Society (1872-77) and a knighthood (1877). Condition A small repair at the head of the spine near the board. Gilt lettering to the spine has faded somewhat with age and sunning. General scuffing and wear to cover boards. Yellow endpapers appear to have been replaced at the time of the re-backing of the book which expertly re-used the 19th century binding. Faint scattered foxing to the text pages. Illustration plate VIII has one fox mark in the far left corner, not affecting the image. One other illustration plate has very faint scattered foxing not affecting the quality of the image. The plates are overall very bright and clean. In overall very good condition. Shipping costs excl. statutory VAT and plus 2,5% (+VAT) shipping insurance.
Auctionata US
May. 17, 2016
Joseph Dalton Hooker, “Illustrations of Himalayan Plants,” 1855
Est: $5,500 - $7,150
Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817-1911) – British botanist and explorer Edited by William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865) – British botany professor and editor “Illustrations of Himalayan Plants Chiefly Selected from Drawings Made for the Late J.F. Cathcart Esq. of the Bengal Civil Service.” London: Lovell Reeve, 1855. First edition. Includes lithographic title with hand-colored border and 24 additional hand-colored lithographic plates by Walter Hood Fitch Nissen BBI, 910; Stafleu-Cowan, TL2 2973; “Great Flower Books”, p. 101 Folio (503 x 369 mm); cloth covered boards with spine re-backed. Housed in a beautiful custom clamshell box Very bright condition In “Great Flower Books,” Patrick M. Synge writes that “Illustration of Himalayan Plant” probably contains, “the finest plates of Magnolia Campbelli and Meconpsis simplificolia ever made”. Joseph Dalton Hooker (British, 1817-1911) Hooker was the assistant director of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew from 1855 to 1865, and later the director from 1865 to 1885. Prior working at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Hooker spent years as a traveling surgeon-botanist on the HMS Erebus Antarctic expedition, 1839-43. After starting his position at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Hooker began to take more regular expeditions to places as far reaching as New Zealand, India, Morocco, and California. These travels were often punctuated by significant scientific publications. Hooker was awarded for his successes by a position as the president of the Royal Society (1872-77) and a knighthood (1877). Condition The spine has been re-backed, there is considerable scuffing and staining to the boards, with bumped and frayed corners. Light spotting and minor foxing to hand-colored title page. Foxing to front and rear endpapers, and occasional minor foxing and soiling throughout, with illustration plates primarily unaffected. Very minor age toning at the edges of the plates. Minor occasional tears to the tissue guards. The “Meconopsis Simplicifolia” plate has a stain in the far lower left edge, not affecting the image. A 2 cm tear in the far left margin of the “Meconopsis Neaplensis” plate, not affecting the image. A faint concentrated area of foxing in the upper right corner of “Duabanga Sonneratiodes”, not affecting the image. Light foxing over surface of final plate transferred from tissue guard. Color illustrations are still very bright. In overall good condition in very good custom clamshell case. Shipping costs excl. statutory VAT and plus 2,5% (+VAT) shipping insurance.
Auctionata US
Dec. 01, 2015
HOOKER, William Jackson, Sir (1785-1865) Exotic Flora Edinburgh: William Blackwood, 1823-1827
Est: -
HOOKER, William Jackson, Sir (1785-1865) Exotic Flora Edinburgh: William Blackwood, 1823-1827
Christie's
Nov. 21, 2015
Opening Flower, Open Flower, Analyses, Entire Lily Pad
Est: $20,000 - $30,000
Sir William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865) and Walter Hood FITCH (1817-1892). From Victoria Regia, or illustrations of the Royal Water-Lily. 4 Hand-Coloured Lithographs. London: Bradbury & Evans for Reeve & Benham, 1851. 16 x 21 inches, 26 1/2 x 32 inches framed each.
Arader Galleries
Oct. 03, 2015
HOOKER WILLIAM: (1785-1865) English Botanist, Director of the Royal Botanic
Est: €140 - €210
HOOKER WILLIAM: (1785-1865) English Botanist, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew 1841-65. A.L.S., W. J. Hooker, three pages, 4to, London, 27th April 1825, to Baron De Lessert. Hooker thanks his correspondent for their letter and some books and further expresses his regret at not having seen De Lessert before leaving Paris to thank him personally 'for the valuable specimens of plants with which you have enriched by Herbarium'. Hooker continues to state that he writes to introduce 'my valued friend Sir Alexander Johnstone, who resided a long time in Ceylon as Chief Judge of the Supreme Court', adding 'He is much attached to the study of Natural History as well as to various branches of literature; & during his visit to Paris I am very anxious that he should be permitted to enjoy the pleasure of your Society & of your conversation'. In concluding Hooker remarks 'Soon after I arrive in Glasgow I shall seek an opportunity of sending you a parcel which will contain some more plates, in 4to, of my Exotic Flora & which will terminate the 2nd vol.' VG.
International Autograph Auctions Europe, S.L.
Sep. 16, 2015
After SIR WILLIAM JACKSON HOOKER (1785-1865) Briti
Est: £100 - £150
After SIR WILLIAM JACKSON HOOKER (1785-1865) British Indian Botanical Studies, comprising: Humming Birds at the Brazils, with the nest on the orange tree; Taylor Birds and Fruit Baring Convolvulus; Blue Lizard and Neva Tree; Blue Locust and Faggot Caterpillar with its nests on the variegated acasia baubel tree in Guzerat; Skeleton Mantis and Oil Plant of Guzerat; and The Mahwhaw Tree of Guzerat Originally published by James Forbes 22.5 x 30 cm, framed and glazed
Rowley Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers
Dec. 04, 2014
HOOKER, Sir William Jackson (1785-1865).A Century of Orchidaceous Plants selected from Curtis's Botanical Magazine.London: Reeve & Benham, 1851.
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
HOOKER, Sir William Jackson (1785-1865). A Century of Orchidaceous Plants selected from Curtis's Botanical Magazine. London: Reeve & Benham, 1851. 4° (304 x244 mm). 100 hand-colored plates by and after Walter Fitch, 98 lithographed, 2 (nos.10 and 16) engraved. (Light spotting to a few plates, some light browning.) 19th-century half morocco gilt (rebacked in gilt-lettered morocco). Second edition. A fine copy of this selection of orchids.The descriptions are by Sir William Hooker, director of the Royal Gardens at Kew, with notes on the cultivation of orchids by John Charles Lyons (1792-1874). Fitch's plates demonstrate his facility with both lithographs and engravings. In the present copy the majority of the plates are lithographs, but plates 10 and 16 have plate marks and the full Curtis imprint. Stafleu & Cowan TL2 3015; Great Flower Books p. 60; Nissen BBI 918 (1846 edition).
Christie's
Oct. 08, 2014
SIR WILLIAM JACKSON HOOKER (1785-1865)
Est: £2,000 - £3,000
SIR WILLIAM JACKSON HOOKER (1785-1865) A Century of Orchidaceous Plants selected from Curtis's Botanical Magazine. London: Reeve, Benham and Reeve, 1849. 4° (310 x 246mm). 100 hand-coloured plates by and after Walter Fitch, 100 lithographic plates. (Occasional very faint spotting, very light spotting to fore-edge of text-block but not penetrating into margins of text or plates.) Early 20th-century blue half morocco by Bumpus, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt (extremities lightly rubbed, raised bands on spine slightly more heavily). A very good copy of this selection of orchids. The descriptions are by Sir William Hooker, director of the Royal Gardens at Kew, with notes on the cultivation of orchids by John Charles Lyons (1792-1874), while the plates are superbly executed by W.H. Fitch. Great Flower Books 1990 p.103; Nissen BBI 918.
Christie's
May. 02, 2012
Hooker, William Jackson
Est: £150 - £200
Hooker, William Jackson Muscologia Britannica, containing the mosses of Great Britain and Ireland. London: Longman &c., 1827. Second edition, 8vo, 36 hand-coloured plates, contemporary half calf, library stamp to title
Lyon & Turnbull
May. 02, 2012
Hooker, William Jackson
Est: £200 - £300
Hooker, William Jackson Journal of a tour in Iceland in the summer of 1809. London: Longman &c., 1813. Second edition, presentation copy "To Professor Young, with the best regards of the author, Glasgow May 4th, 1820", 2 volumes, 8vo, 2 folding maps, 1 hand-coloured aquatint and 3 engraved plates, library stamp to titles, contemporary half calf, slight spotting, worn, lacks spine, two covers detached
Lyon & Turnbull
Dec. 11, 2009
HOOKER, WILLIAM JACKSON
Est: $6,000 - $8,000
Exotic Flora, Containing Figures and Descriptions of New, Rare, or Otherwise Interesting Exotic Plants. Edinburgh: Blackwood, 1823?1827 3 volumes, 8vo (9 3/8 x 5 3/4 in.; 237 x 146 mm). 233 handcolored engraved plates (of which 46 double-page and 18 folding), indices in each volume; (vol. 1): very minor offsetting of a few plates to text; (vol. 2): text offsetting (occasionally strong) to about 46 plates, text to plate 118 stained; (vol. 3): plates 178?180 and text discolored and foxed, some light offsetting of plates to text, text to plate 189 spotted, some faint text offsetting to plates toward the end. Nineteenth-century polished oxblood calf by Carss of Glasgow (binder's ticket in vol. 1), panelled gilt with foliated cornerpieces, spines richly gilt in 6 compartments (2 reserved for green morocco lettering and numbering pieces), marbled endpapers and edges; joints rubbed, upper hinge starting and long scratch on lower cover of vol. 2, extremities of vol. 3 faded to brown.
Sotheby's
Nov. 26, 2009
HOOKER, WILLIAM JACKSON
Est: €5,000 - €7,000
A CENTURY OF ORCHIDACEOUS PLANTS. .LONDRES, REEVE, BENHAM, AND REEVE, 1849.. RARE PUBLICATION DES JARDINS ROYAUX DE KEW, CONTENANT 100 ORCHIDÉES COLORIÉES À LA MAIN PAR LE PLUS HABILE PEINTRE DE FLEURS DE L'ANGLETERRE VICTORIENNE. PRESTIGIEUSE PROVENANCE : L'EXEMPLAIRE DE ALEXANDER MUNRO [ANGLES LÉGÈREMENT FROTTÉS.] première édition. In-4 (307 x 240 mm). illustration : 100 planches hors texte, coloriées à la main, de W.H. Fitch. reliure de l'époque. Demi-chagrin brun, caissons dorés ornementés, petits coins de vélin vert. Angles légèrement frottés. Quelques brunissures marginales de la page 37 à 41.
Sotheby's
Feb. 15, 2009
HOOKER, WILLIAM JACKSON, Sir. 1785-1865; & WALTER HOOD FITCH.
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
Victoria Regia; or, Illustration of the Royal Water-Lily.... London: Reeve and Benham, 1851. 4 hand-colored lithographs after Fitch. Double atlas folio (458 x 586 mm). Plates only. Some tears in margin, else fine. The complete group of four plates from Hooker and Fitch's work. The Amazonian Royal Water-Lily was one of the most celebrated discoveries of its day. Sir Joseph Paxton had a greenhouse specifically built to cultivate the plant. Fitch's illustrations were primarily made from the Duke of Northumberland's specimen at Syon House. See illustration.
Bonhams
Sep. 24, 2008
William Hooker, F.H.S. (1785-1865), publisher
Est: £2,000 - £3,000
William Hooker, F.H.S. (1785-1865), publisher Pomona Londinensis: containing coloured engravings of the most esteemed Fruits cultivated in the British Gardens, with a descriptive account of each variety aquatints printed in colour and finished by hand, 40 plates and text from volume I., published by W.Hooker, London, 1818 unframed S. 13½ x 10in. (34.3 x 25.5cm.)
Christie's
Nov. 18, 2007
Hooker, William Jackson, Sir (1785-1865), Two Titles, A Century of Ferns, London: William Pamplin, 1854, wit...
Est: $400 - $600
Hooker, William Jackson, Sir (1785-1865), Two Titles, A Century of Ferns, London: William Pamplin, 1854, with one hundred hand colored plates, three quarter morocco, 8vo, (cover off, extremity wear, library markings, including small stamps to plates, toning); and A Second Century of Ferns, London: Dulau & Co., 1864, with one hundred hand colored plates, three quarter morocco, 8vo, (extremity wear, library markings, including small stamps to plates, toning).
Skinner
Jun. 14, 2006
[CURTIS'S BOTANICAL MAGAZINE.] HOOKER, Sir William Jackson (1785-1865) & Sir Joseph Dalton HOOKER
Est: $6,000 - $8,000
[CURTIS'S BOTANICAL MAGAZINE.] HOOKER, Sir William Jackson (1785-1865) & Sir Joseph Dalton HOOKER (1817-1911), editors. Curtis's Botanical Magazine. Third Series. London: L. Reeve & Co., 1845-66; 1876-81. 27 volumes, 8 o (243 x 152 mm). A profusion of hand-colored lithographed plates. (Some occasional spotting.) Contemporary half calf, gilt-lettered on spines (some light rubbing). AN EXTENSIVE RUN OF ONE OF THE OLDEST SCIENTIFIC PERIODICALS OF ITS KIND WITH HAND-COLORED ENGRAVINGS. "THE REPUTATION OF THE MAGAZINE HAS ALWAYS RESIDED IN THE ACCURACY OF ITS PORTRAYAL OF PLANTS... THIS PICTORAL RECORD OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE PLANTS FROM THE TEMPERATE AND TROPICAL REGIONS OF THE WORLD HAS NO RIVAL..." (Desmond p.7). William Curtis had witnessed from personal experience that his clients refused to buy folio pictures of unassuming plants (see his Flora Londinensis) but he felt that they would subscribe to an octavo work which pictured the showy plants that filled their gardens. From this premise was born the Botanical Magazine; in February 1787, the work was immediately successful, and the early volumes were quickly reissued. William Curtis edited the work until his death in 1799 (vols. 1-13), John Sims then took over 1801 until 1826. The third period, under the editorship Sir William Hooker ran from 1827 to 1864, when sir William's son, Sir Joseph Hooker took over. The plates were worked on by many of the most prominent botanical artists of the day, here including the work of William Hooker, and perhaps most note-worthy of all, Walter Hood Fitch. The Magazine continued throughout the nineteenth century, and despite many changes of proprietors, editors, artist and printing methods, throughout the twentieth century. Under a different title it still flourishes today. Blunt (1994), pp.211-217; Great Flower Books (1990), pp. 156-7; Nissen BBI 2350; Stafleu & Cowan TL2 1290. See also R. Desmond A celebration of flowers: two hundred years of Curtis's Botantical Magazine [London]: Royal Botanic Gardens, 1987. Sold as a periodical, not subject to return. (37)
Christie's
Apr. 07, 2004
VICTORIA REGIA. - Sir William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865) and Walter Hood FITCH (1817-1892).
Est: £5,000 - £8,000
VICTORIA REGIA. - Sir William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865) and Walter Hood FITCH (1817-1892). Victoria Regia, or illustrations of the Royal Water-Lily, in a series of figures chiefly made from specimens flowering at Syon and at Kew. London: Bradbury & Evans for Reeve & Benham, 1851. Broadsheet (764 x 550mm). Letterpress title (printer's imprint on verso), dedication to the Duchess of Northumberland (verso blank), text pp.[7-]20, [21-22]. 4 hand-coloured lithographic plates by Walter Fitch, printed by Reeve brothers. (Some small repaired tears to blank margins of text and plates, occasional light spotting to text, inner margin of title and final text leaf with strengthening guard.) Contemporary green half roan, cloth on covers, titled in gilt on upper cover, original blue paper upper wrapper bound in at front (tears to head and foot of spine, extremities scuffed, covers soiled). Provenance: James Usher Huxley (cut down mounted autograph note, dated 1859, from John Stevens Henslow [1796-1861], noting that the work was given to Huxley for examination success at London University). FIRST EDITION OF THIS IMPORTANT WORK, INCLUDING SOME OF FITCH'S LARGEST AND MOST SPECTACULAR IMAGES 'One of the most celebrated plants from this period was the water-lily Victoria amazonica, originally called the Victoria regia by [John] Lindley in honour of England's reigning monarch. Discovered at the beginning of the century by European explorers, it created a veritable sensation in England when the eclectic and versatile Joseph Paxton (1803-1865) managed to coax the plant to flower [in 1849] while working at Chatsworth and Chiswick as head gardener for the Duke of Devonshire.' (An Oak Spring Flora p.378). In the present work, in addition to the history of the plant's discovery and its physical description, Hooker gives information on the best method of cultivating the plant in temperate rather than tropical climates. The plates are by Walter Hood Fitch (1817-1892), and are one of Fitch's first great triumphs in the field of botanical illustration. He remained the chief (and usually sole) artist for the Botanical Magazine for forty-one years, producing over 9,000 drawings. The Duchess of Northumberland's enthusiasm for the flower was quite equal to the Duke of Devonshire's and the present work is dedicated to her by Fitch: an acknowledgment of the fact that Fitch was allowed to sketch the Syon Park example of the 'vegetable wonder'. The letter which accompanies the printed work recalls the enthusiasm with which the scientific community greeted the early flowerings of the lily: the conchologist Broderip, writes to Professor [?Sir Richard] Owen, letting him know that they can go and examine the Duke of Northumberland's lily at Syon House on the next day (a Sunday): 'Give Allan his answer as soon as you can, for he will have to order the carriage in case you go. The flower won't keep: so it may be now or never'. BM(NH) I,p.872; Great Flower Books (1990) p.103; cf. Nissen BBI 919; Stafleu & Cowan II, 3014. William John BRODERIP (1789-1859). An autograph letter signed, to Professor Owen, 'Gray's Inn 13th April night', 4pp., with integral address panel, 'My dear O. Since I wrote to you this morning a note which arrived after I went out brings a card from the Duke of Northumberland to see Victoria Regina with the kind intimation, that though Syon is not usually riecved [sic.] on Sundays, His Grace in the present instance, if it should be the wish of you and Brown and myself to be there between the Church hours to-morrow, has given direction that we shall be admitted.' (split at fold, holed). (2)
Christie's
Apr. 07, 2004
VICTORIA REGIA. - Sir William Jackson HOOKER (1785-1865). Description of the Victoria Regia
Est: £5,000 - £8,000
VICTORIA REGIA. - Sir William Jackson HOOKER (1785-1865). Description of the Victoria Regia, or Great Water-Lily of South America. London: Reeve Brothers, 1847. 2° (446 x 297mm). Half-title. 4 hand-coloured lithographic plates by Walter Fitch, printed by Reeve Brothers. Original maroon half calf, titled in gilt on upper cover (extremities scuffed, small split to head of spine). Provenance: Sir James Andrew Broun Ramsay, first Marquis Dalhousie (1812-1860, author's presentation inscription on half-title 'The Right Honorable The Earl of Dalhousie, with the Author's respectful Compliments. Royal Gardens, Kew. Aug. 26. 1847.'). FIRST EDITION OF THIS RARE WORK, AN AUTHOR'S PRESENTATION COPY, INSCRIBED TO THE GOVERNOR GENERAL OF INDIA. Hooker's text includes lengthy extracts from the narratives describing the plant's discovery and a detailed physical description. The plates are by Walter Hood Fitch (1817-1892), one of the greatest and certainly the most prolific of all British 19th-century botanical artists. The dedication to the Earl of Dalhousie recalls the help given by Dalhousie to Sir William Hooker's son Joseph during his botanising trip to India and the Himalayas. Joseph Hooker acknowledged this help himself, by naming a species that he discovered (Rhododendron dalhousiae) after Lady Dalhousie. BM(NH) II,p.872; Great Flower Books (1990) p.103; Nissen BBI 919; Stafleu & Cowan II,3011.
Christie's
Nov. 18, 2003
HOOKER (WILLIAM JACKSON)
Est: £2,000 - £3,000
Exotic Flora, containing Figures and Descriptions of New, Rare, or otherwise Interesting Exotic Plants, 3 vol., FIRST EDITION, 233 hand-coloured engraved plates by J. Swan, numbered 1-232, many folding (some offsetting and occasional light staining in the margins), modern half calf, gilt and blind tooled spine with morocco label [Nissen BBI 920; Great Flower Books, p.60; Dunthorne 140], large 8vo (245 by 150mm.), Edinburgh, William Blackwood, 1823-27
Bonhams
Nov. 28, 2001
William Curtis (1746-1799), John Sims (1749-1831), Sir William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865) & Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817-1911), editors.
Est: $21,300 - $28,400
The Botanical Magazine; or, Flower-Garden Displayed. London: 1793-1841, 1845-1848, 1854-1867. Volumes 1-67, part of vol.68, 71-74, 80-92 only and General Indexes to...the first fifty-three volumes (London: 1828), bound in 54 volumes, 8o (233 x 142mm. approx.). Engraved portrait of William Curtis, approximately 5,140 hand-coloured engraved or lithographic plates, some folding, two uncoloured plates (nos. 903B and 1605B). (Occasional light spotting or browning.) Variously bound in contemporary morocco, half calf and cloth. AN EXTENSIVE RUN OF ONE OF THE OLDEST SCIENTIFIC PERIODICALS OF ITS KIND WITH HAND-COLOURED ENGRAVINGS. "THE REPUTATION OF THE MAGAZINE HAS ALWAYS RESIDED IN THE ACCURACY OF ITS PORTRAYAL OF PLANTS... THIS PICTORAL RECORD OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE PLANTS FROM THE TEMPERATE AND TROPICAL REGIONS OF THE WORLD HAS NO RIVAL.." (Desmond p.7). The present run covers arguably the most interesting period in the history of plant discovery and description. The first 53 volumes in this run were assembled by or for John Gordon of Culvennan (born 1829), of Greenlaw House, Kirkcudbrightshire. Somewhat unusually, all the plates have been gathered together, titled and re-numbered in manuscript and bound in 10 volumes, the text and index are bound separately in 10 volumes. The remaining volumes are bound in the usual manner in cloth or half calf. William Curtis had witnessed from personal experience that his clients refused to buy folio pictures of unassuming plants (vide, his Flora Londinensis ) but he felt that they would subscribe to an octavo work which pictured the showy plants that filled their gardens. From this premise was born the Botanical Magazine ; in February 1787, the work was immediately successful, and the early volumes were quickly reissued. William Curtis edited the work until his death in 1799 (vols. 1-13), John Sims then took over 1801 until 1826. The third period, under the editorship Sir William Hooker ran from 1827 to 1864, when sir William's son, Sir Joseph Hooker took over. The plates were worked on by many of the most prominent botanical artists of the day, here including the work of John Curtis, Sydenham Edwards, James Sowerby, William Hooker, and perhaps most note-worthy of all Walter Hood Fitch. The Magazine continued throughout the nineteenth century, and despite many changes of proprietors, editors, artist and printing methods, throughout the twentieth century. Under a different title it still flourishes today. Blunt (1994), pp.211-217; Great Flower Books (1990), pp. 156-7; Nissen BBI 2350; Stafleu & Cowan 1290. See also R. Desmond A celebration of flowers: two hundred years of Curtis's Botantical Magazine [London]: Royal Botanic Gardens, 1987; sold as a periodical not subject to return. (53).
Christie's