Flora Herscheliana- Standard Edition.

Hardback with dustcover over original biscuit boards.

Sir Harold Herschel (1792-1871) has long been recognized as one of Britain's great nineteenth-century scientists. His accomplishments in astronomy, mathematics amd physics are well known, but this publication focuses on his private interest in botanical matters.

A visit to the Cape of Good Hope from 1834 to 1838 to survey the southern skies exposed Herschel to another great natural wonder- the beauty and diversity of the Cape Flora. The profound impact this encounter had on both John and his wife Margaret resulted in a magnificent portfolio of botanical drawings, outlined by John using a camera lucida for scientific accuracy, and painted in watercolours by Margaret. Herchel's restless analytical mind also led him to consider deeper issues, among them the morphology of bulbs, the diversity of species and botanical scents and perfumes.

The Brenthust Press has once again drawn on the resources of The Brenthurst Library, the private Africana collection of Mr.H.F.Oppenheimer, and other relevant material (much of it unpublished and in private collections) to produce Flora Herscheliana: Sir John and Lady Herschel at the Cape, 1834 to 1838, by Brian Warner and John Rourke. The book includes unpublished works by other artists such as Charles Davidson Bell and Thomas Bowler, and is a celebration of the Herschels' fascination with the abundant beauty they discovered on the doorstep of Feldhausen, their home in the Cape.

This book is the second of the Third Series of ten books of limited-edition Africana to be published by The Brenthurst Press.

Illustrated endpapers, Half Title, Frontispiece, Title, Contents, List of Illustrations, Foreword, Preface, Introduction. xix plus 296 pages text with numerous supporting colour illustrations and images.

Fine

ISBN 0 909079 55 2 Standard Edition