1843 Our Wild Flowers by Twamley - Illustrated Antique Book

In excellent condition, here is a beautifully illustrated antique copy of Our Wild Flowers - Familiarly Described and Illustrated by Louisa Anne Twamley. Published in 1843 by Tilt and Bogue, London. With twelve gorgeous hand-coloured plates. In a full leather binding with ornate gilt-stamped decoration to the front, back and spine. More details below.

Hard to believe this copy is 183 years old!

A beautifully produced piece of Victorian botanical history. An exquisite example of 19th-century botanical "gift books" that seamlessly blended science, poetry, and art. The text is written in a narrative fashion—often framed as an aunt teaching her nieces about nature—and includes original poetry alongside standard botanical observations. The book is renowned for its vibrant, meticulously detailed botanical plates. Printed as engravings and then individually hand-painted with watercolours, which is why they retain an incredibly rich, intense depth of colour (see photos).

Inside this copy the pages are in excellent condition. Mild spotting to the endpapers. Has an inked-inscription from 1854 to an early blank endpaper, but no other writing or markings of previous ownership. All edges are shiny, sparkly gilt. The colour title page, and twelve botanical plates are also all in top order. Green ribbon place marker sewn in. Smart, tight and square.

In a full green leather binding with ornate gilt tooling to the front, back and spine. Rubbing around the extremities and to the spine ends, to remove some of the green in a few places (see photos). This is only to the edges and joints. The green on the spine having lightened just a little. With shiny gilt dentelles on the turnovers.

Your antique copy of Our Wild Flowers will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged with full tracking and insurance. I am always happy to add a gift card with a message to the parcel.

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H 19.5 cm x W 13 cm, 312 pages, 0.56 kg. I dispatch daily from the UK.

* If you would prefer for your book not to be decoratively wrapped and sent simply in the full protective packaging please add a note to the order.

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