Plate 56. Jane W. Loudon. (Orchids) British Wild Flowers. London: William Smith, 1849 $185.00

PL 56. 1. Early Purple Orchis 2. Marsh Orchis 3. Monkey Orchis 4. Lizard Orchis

In her introduction to this work, Mrs. Loudon (1807-1858) stated her goal to be to create a work that would be useful to ladies interested in flowers and would encourage the study of botany “which has hitherto been too much neglected… I shall take only the most ornamental plants, and I shall not figure any flowers that are common in gardens. My object is to enable any amateur who may find a pretty flower growing in the wild to ascertain its name and some particulars respecting it.”

Hand colored lithograph.
11 ¼ x 8 5/8 inches, sheet.
Light overall toning.