24070 E. Spiller, Government Printer, Adelaide, 1882. First edition. Collection of six botanical colour chromo-lithographs, five each approx. 52 x 41 cm. (sheet) and 43 x 33 cm (image), + frontispiece 27 x 20 cm (image)., depicting the native flora of South Australian forests. Sewn into original pictorial grey wrappers as issued. Set comprises: Eucalyptus gunnii, Banksia ornata, Banksia marginata, Eucalyptus obliqua, Casuarina quadrivalvis together with colour chromo-lithograph frontispiece and all accompanying descriptive texts. Condition generally good with only a light sprinkling of foxing on the text pages and wrappers (rear only). Wrappers and some text pages have chipped edges and the occasional small tear, but all pictorial plates clean and suitable for display. Most unusual to find the first part of Brown & Fiveash's pioneering nine-part work in its original issue form.John Ednie Brown was a talented botanist who arrived in Adelaide from Scotland in 1878 to take up a position as Conservator of Forests. One of his first acts was to commission the gifted botanical artist Rosa Fiveash (1854-1938) to make drawings of some of South Australia's unique flora. Her drawings were then lithographed to the highest quality by the Government printer, H. Barrett. "The Forest Flora of South Australia" was published as a set of 45 handsome chromolithographs in nine parts, with accompanying texts, over 8 years from 1882. The State Library calls the plates ' both attractive and accurate'. Only nine parts were ever completed, and together they show details of the leaves, seeds and flowers of 45 of SA's indigenous trees as well as attractive renditions of their appearance in nature. Originally issued in nine grey-wrappered parts ready for library binding, these very decorative coloured lithographs are now rarely seen in this form outside public libraries or museums. Ferguson 7516. $1000.00AUD
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