looking for pre-1910 bulb books

Judy Glattstein jglatt@ptd.net
Tue, 22 Nov 2005 18:40:27 PST
I'm looking for suggestions for historically important, beautifully
illustrated pre-1910 books. Here's why.

I've been asked to curate an exhibit in the William D. Rondina and
Giovanni Foroni LoFaro Gallery of the New York Botanical Garden's
LuEsther T. Mertz Library. Opening October 6, 2006, the topic is -
drumroll please - bulbs. The working title is World of Bulbs. The theme 
I've decided upon is Bulbs Around the World, At Home in the Garden. I 
get to search through the stacks, the rare book room, their collection 
of nursery catalogs, periodicals, request loans of material from other 
institutions
. . .

Guidelines: pre-1910, and no photographs. There are several books I know 
for sure I want to include - Priscilla Susan Falkner Bury's A selection 
of hexandrian plants, 1831 - 1834. There's a crinum so beautiful it 
would make you sigh in delight. The library has 7 of the 8 volumes of 
Redoute's Les liliacees, and I can use any except the two volumes in the 
current exhibit. I want to display their copy of Besler's Hortus 
eystettenis of 1613, great audience recognition factor, even if it is 
that great big sunflower on tea towels and place mats.

My goal is to present bulbs as world-wide, opening the doors beyond the
"Holland bulbs are here" syndrome. Offer a horticultural aspect - bulbs
are for planting. Here's where catalogs fit in. Maybe a herbarium sheet
or two.

There are 7 main display cases against the walls, and 3 in the center. 
"Loose" material can be framed and hung on the walls. The exhibit will 
display 60 to 65 volumes.

So, my knowledgeable cohorts in the PBS - any good 15th century up to
1910 books you want to suggest?

Judy, brimming over with excitement and enthusiasm



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