Lot 10230: Andrews - Gesneria Cinnabarina (now called Smithiantha cinnabarina). 6

This rare, spectacular image is from James Andrews's The Illustrated Bouquet. The work was published in London by E. G. Henderson & Son between 1857 and 1859. The plate is a zincograph by C. T. Rosenberg that was colored by hand and printed by C. F. Cheffins & sons.

James Andrews is now known only from the considerable body of his published botanical illustrations. Whilst the present image is undoubtedly one of his best prints, it is also from a work that is amongst the least known of the publications that he illustrated. Because Andrews specialised in the 'gift-book' type of botanical illustration there has been a tendency to dismiss him as a 'serious' botanical artist. His work for The Illustrated Bouquet shows this to be a drastic under-estimation of a botanical artist of the highest order.

The Illustrated Bouquet was conceived and executed on a much grander scale than any of the other periodicals of the period. The work is very rare: only one complete set is recorded as having sold at auction over the past twenty-five years. With plates over 14 inches high produced by some of the greatest botanical artists of the time, the work as a whole was a truly spectacular undertaking: the present image is a worthy representative of that splendor, and of the talent of a great botanical artist.

~ 14 3/8" by 10 1/2"

Zincograph

1857-1859

The work is in excellent condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact with any questions.

The Illustrated Bouquet