Set of 10 Original Antique Fern Lithographs by Edward J. Lowe, 1856
€ 840
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1856
Mapmaker / artist
Edward Joseph Lowe
Technique
Original hand-colored lithographs
Sheet size
25 × 15.5 cm (9.8 × 6.1 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-14242-79 to BG-14242-88
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Good overall antique condition with age-appropriate toning, occasional foxing or small stains, and minor edge wear consistent with age and use. Some sheets retain small binding remnants or marginal irregularities from the original volume.
About this sheet
A decorative set of ten original hand-colored botanical lithographs illustrating twelve varieties of exotic ferns. Published in London in 1856, the plates were created for the celebrated botanical works of Edward Joseph Lowe, one of the most influential British fern specialists of the Victorian era.
The set includes the following species, identified by their historical Latin names and corresponding English descriptive names:
The names printed beneath the images reflect the historical botanical classification used at the time of publication. Some species have since been reassigned to other genera, and several do not have widely established modern English common names. The English names given here are traditional or descriptive equivalents.
Edward Joseph Lowe was a central figure during the famous Victorian “Pteridomania” movement, when ferns became an obsession among collectors, gardeners and natural-history enthusiasts throughout Europe. His lavishly illustrated publications combined careful scientific observation with considerable decorative appeal and remain among the most attractive botanical works of the nineteenth century.
The plates show both upper and fertile undersides of the fronds, with carefully rendered veins, rhizomes and spore-producing sori. Their harmonious shades of green, graceful silhouettes and varied forms make the group especially suitable for display as a botanical gallery wall.
Condition: Good overall antique condition with age-appropriate toning, occasional foxing or small stains, and minor edge wear consistent with age and use. Some sheets retain small binding remnants or marginal irregularities from the original volume. Please study the images carefully.
These prints are original antique lithographs, not reproductions. All items we offer are authentic period works of art over 100 years old. The pieces are sold unframed. Any framed or interior images are shown for presentation and interior inspiration only and may not always be to scale.
