Beautiful Leaved Plants; being a description of the most beautiful…

4to (255 × 150 mm), pp. viii, 144, plus 60 chromolithograph plates, wood engravings. Text block cracked before p. 15, but secure in the binding. Publisher’s blindstamped green cloth, gilt. Slightly rubbed, minor fraying at extremities, but a nice bright copy.

First published in 1861, Lowe’s book reflected and promoted the Victorian fascination for foliage plants, growing wild, in the garden, the greenhouse (’stove’) or house. It capitalised on the potential of chromolithography to provide vibrant and realistic impressions of leaf colours and textures.