The monumental work in the history of literature on orchids was printed in Belgium by the Lindens in the form of a monthly review between 1885 and 1906 in French and also between 1891 and 1898 in English.

This was the “Belle Epoque“ for orchis enthousiasts. The 814 plates contained are more than a mere record of all that was known about botanical orchids - they form a veritable encyclopaedia.

The drawings are of exceptional quality and delicaty, depicting species gathered in tropical forests and raised in the greenhouses of great collectors.

Each plate is accompanied by Latin assignment of the species together with bibliographical references. There follows a description of the plant, where it was dicsovered, acclimatized, distributed throughout the world and advices on how to grow it.

Bound in 5 volumes with a gold-stamped cloth binding and a colour cover this item is a collector's object for both, orchid and book art enthousiasts.