first edition Hand colored lithographed frontispiece and fifteen hand colored lithographed plates, hand colored by Mrs. Badger. Folio
1867 · New York
by Badger, Mrs. Clarissa M.
New York: Charles Scribner & Company, 1867. First edition. Hand colored lithographed frontispiece and fifteen hand colored lithographed plates, hand colored by Mrs. Badger. Folio. Publisher's dark green morocco gilt, marbled endpapers, gilt edges, worn at edges and scuffed on rear cover. Early owner's name in gilt on upper cover dated May 1874. First edition. Hand colored lithographed frontispiece and fifteen hand colored lithographed plates, hand colored by Mrs. Badger. Folio. Mrs. Badger was an illustrator with an intuitive feeling for the decorative, as she amply demonstrates in this book, a companion to her Wild Flowers published in 1859, although here focused on the greenhouse and garden. "Contains 16 very beautiful full page flower plates in many colors and shades. Each flower portrayed is also the subject for a poem which serves as text for the illustration" (Bennett).
Species represented include Azalea, Geranium, Roses, Jasmine, Bretia; Camellia and Begonia, Night Blooming Cereus; Fuchsias, Cactus, Scarlet Geranium; Calla and Poincettia; Passion-Flowers, a bouquet of Roses, Narcissus, Hyacinth, Lily of the Valley, Tulip, and Dielytra; Salvia and Dielytra; Pansies, Moss Rose; Tulips, Rose of Gethsemane; Larkspur and Japan Lily; Asters.
The plates, handcolored by Mrs. Badger over very light lithographed lines and without captions (thus giving the plates the appearance of original watercolors), were executed in an era when chromolithographs were fast replacing such skilled hand work. A contemporary advertisement for the work by the publisher, who priced the book $30 when issued, describes it as follows: "The volume is a stately folio, elegantly bound in Turkey morocco and the paper and presswork, and the whole mechanical execution are perfect. There are sixteen pictures in the volume — favorite or representative flowers — and each of them is painted from nature by the patient and laborious hand of the artist, and with such exquisite care and taste, and delicacy of touch as to vie with nature herself." A review of the work in a December 1866 issue of Hours at Home proclaimed the work "without exaggeration, a most unique, highly artistic and gorgeous affair — a work that reflects great credit on the artistic taste of the country, as well as on the genius and industry of the author."
"Though little is known about her life other than the landmark dates of her birth, marriage, and death, Mrs. Badger's fine drawings and talented hand have survived to keep her name alive" (Kramer, Women of Flowers). Bennett, p.6; McGrath, p.57; Nissen 56 (Inventory #: 366850)
Species represented include Azalea, Geranium, Roses, Jasmine, Bretia; Camellia and Begonia, Night Blooming Cereus; Fuchsias, Cactus, Scarlet Geranium; Calla and Poincettia; Passion-Flowers, a bouquet of Roses, Narcissus, Hyacinth, Lily of the Valley, Tulip, and Dielytra; Salvia and Dielytra; Pansies, Moss Rose; Tulips, Rose of Gethsemane; Larkspur and Japan Lily; Asters.
The plates, handcolored by Mrs. Badger over very light lithographed lines and without captions (thus giving the plates the appearance of original watercolors), were executed in an era when chromolithographs were fast replacing such skilled hand work. A contemporary advertisement for the work by the publisher, who priced the book $30 when issued, describes it as follows: "The volume is a stately folio, elegantly bound in Turkey morocco and the paper and presswork, and the whole mechanical execution are perfect. There are sixteen pictures in the volume — favorite or representative flowers — and each of them is painted from nature by the patient and laborious hand of the artist, and with such exquisite care and taste, and delicacy of touch as to vie with nature herself." A review of the work in a December 1866 issue of Hours at Home proclaimed the work "without exaggeration, a most unique, highly artistic and gorgeous affair — a work that reflects great credit on the artistic taste of the country, as well as on the genius and industry of the author."
"Though little is known about her life other than the landmark dates of her birth, marriage, and death, Mrs. Badger's fine drawings and talented hand have survived to keep her name alive" (Kramer, Women of Flowers). Bennett, p.6; McGrath, p.57; Nissen 56 (Inventory #: 366850)
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