Flore des serres et des jardins de l'Europe, ou descriptions et figures des plantes les plus rares et les plus méritantes.

23 vol., 8vo; ± 1965 pl. (n.c., some spotting throughout, min. offsetting, pl. 2375 loose).

Contemp. quarter calf, marbled paper on covers, gilt-titled flat spines, orig. wrappers pres. (corners bumped).

One of the finest horticulture journals of the mid-19th c. illustrated with ± 1965 lithographic plates (some folding) expertly hand-finished in rich and luminous colours (partly gum heightened). Some full-page b/w plates showing a.o. portraits of Van Houtte. The ill. of the "Flore de serres" depict flowers and plants for sale in the Van Houtte nursery. Piece by piece examples of ultimate craftmanship of the Belgian lithographers at the time. Beside trees, plants and flowers, both terrestrial and aquatic, the ill. also depict aquaria, greenhouses, gardens, fountains, journeys, animals, garden tools, etc.
Ref. Pritzel 10738 (mentions 17 vol. from 1845 till 1870). - Nissen (BBI) 2254. - Stafleu & Cowan VI:15.921.
Prov. James Mast de Maeght (1943-2020), Belgian entomologist and botanist (mod. bookpl. in some vol.).