Botanical, Fern, Antique Print, Botrychium, moonwort, James Britten, David Blair, Linnean Society

"Botrychium (Natural size) 1. B Simplex 2. virginicum 3. B. rutaefolium 4. B. teratum 5. B. lunaria 5A. Portion of fertile frond of B lunaia magnified 12 times"

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

The genus Botrychium, with about 50 species, distributed throughout the world, includes the grape ferns and moonworts. The genus are seedless vascular plants in the family Ophioglossaceae. They are small, with white, fleshy roots. All reproduce by spores shed into the air. B. virginianum

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

Condition = Very good, two small tears on the top edge, no 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 retirement in 1909. From 1879-1924 he edited the Journal of Botany. This was a  comprehensive journal of British plants adding new species as they were scientifically identified. It was at the start of this journey that he began 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 botanical scientific calling 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.