Botanical, Fern, Antique Print, Asplenium Marinum, Sea spleenwort, James Britten, David Blair, Linnean Society

"Asplenium marinum-1A & 1B upper and underside of fertile pinna (3 x natural size)"

Genuine antique color printed lithograph (Chromolithograph) print for James Britten's European Ferns after illustrations from nature by David Blair, FLS.

Its common name, Sea spleenwort is due its preference for marine habitats around the coasts of Europe from Italy in the South to Norway in the North. Indeed, it is illustrated emerging from a rock-face with magnified details of the fertile eaves, the latter with brown oval sporangia.

Printed by Cassell, Petter, Galpin & Co., London. 1879-1881

Condition = Very good, no tears, staining.

Size of Page = 27 x 21 cm (10 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches)

James Britten (1846-1924)

Born in Chelsea, London, it seemed his future was inclined towards a medical career. But it seemed his plant interest lured him to other opportunities. In 1869 he accepted a position at the herbarium at Kew Gardens, transitioning to the Department of Botany in the British Museum in 1871, remaining until his retirement in 1909. From 1879-1924 he edited the Journal of Botany (British and Foreign). This was a comprehensive journal of plants adding new species as they were scientifically identified. It was at the start of this journey that he also embarked on European Ferns, employing the talented botanical artist David Blair. They were both Fellows of the Linnaen Society of London. Given both Britten and Blair's dedicated higher scientific calling to the study of botany it may be pure chance that the collaboration emerged at the height of the 19th century era of "pteridomania", or Fern mania, that had gripped British society.