Sir David Prain - Curtis's Botanical Magazine, vol. 139 - 1913

139th volume of the famous "Curtis's Botanical Magazine". The book contains 60 original lithographed plates (numbers 8472 to 8531), finely drawn and delicately hand-colored (including 12 folding double plates), depicting new plants and flowers from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and other botanical establishments. Each plate is accompanied by a two- or three-page commentary of high botanical interest. Half-dark green leather binding. The front board is practically detached, the rear board fragile. Spine worn, with five raised bands and gilt-titled pieces. Boards and edges marbled. Corners rubbed. Very slight yellowing of the paper due to age. Some foxing, sometimes on the plates (see photos). The binding is in mediocre condition, but the plates are superb.

Curtis's Botanical Magazine, which takes its name from its founder, William Curtis, has been published without interruption since 1787. The greatest English botanists of their time (Sims, William and Joseph Hooker, Hill, Prain, Stapf, Turrill, etc.) succeeded Curtis as editors, and the finest illustrators and colorists contributed to its illustration. Volume CXXXIX, of 1913, was edited by Sir David Prain (1857-1944), a botanist long active in India, director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew from 1905 to 1922. It is dedicated to Sir Frank Crisp, Baronet, lawyer and English horticulturist. The illustrations are mainly by Mary Smith and Walter Fitch.