Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #130 begins on 09 Apr 2026

Lückhoff (C.A.)

THE STAPELIEAE OF SOUTHERN AFRICA / DIE STAPELIEAE VAN SUIDELIKE AFRIKA

Published: A.A. Balkema, Cape Town, 1952

Edition: First Edition

Reserve: $40

Approximately:

Estimate: $50/60

Bidding opens: 9 Apr 16:30 GMT

Bidding closes: 16 Apr 16:30 GMT

Ships from: South Africa

Lot 122 preview

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First Edition: 81 pages, 5 colour plates, numerous black & white illustrations from photographs, line drawings, brown buckram cloth gilt, a very good copy

A medical doctor and innovative botanical photographer, Luckhoff developed a specialised lighting technique to capture the intricate surface details of the corolla — the tiny papillose (papery), ciliate (hair-like), or tuberculate (warty) textures of the petals and stamens that are virtually impossible to convey in traditional botanical line drawings. His use of raking, directional side-lighting across the flower surface revealed three-dimensional texture in a way that was genuinely novel for botanical photography of the era.

  • Overall Condition: Very good
  • Size: 8vo (300 x 200 mm)


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