Constans, L. Plate 88. From "Paxton’s Flower Garden"

L. Constans.  Plate 88.  From Paxton’s Flower Garden. 

London: Bradbury & Evans, 1850-53.  First edition.  10 ¼ x 7 ¾ (paper size).  Lithograph by L. Constans.  Original hand color. With original text. 

Joseph Paxton had a long and distinguished career as the skilled and observant head gardener for the Duke of Devonshire.  He designed the Crystal Palace exhibition grounds based on the pattern of the underside of the leaf of the “Victoria Amazonica.”  His Magazine of Botany was published from 1834 to 1849 and extended to sixteen volumes.  In this series with Paxton’s name in the title, the equally eminent John Lindley joined him in selecting what they called “all the new and remarkable plants . . . necessary to the horticulturist.”  (Preface).  These are some of the most spectacular and appealing floral prints to be made in the mid-century for the English audience.  Ref.: Sitwell, Great Flower Books, p. 114.