19th Century Ferns of Great Britain and Ireland

Very decorative set of nine nature-printed ferns by Henry Bradbury, text by Thomas Moore. 

Ferns of Great Britain and Ireland, published in 1855, was a seminal work for the progress of botany and naturalism, published in 1855. 

The plates in the collection were printed by Henry Bradbury. Bradbury (1829-60) began nature printing whilst studying in Vienna in 1850. 

The process involved impressing a natural object, such as a leaf, into a lead plate. This plate could then be used to print impressions, but more often a copper replica was made as it was less likely to degenerate than lead. 

Bradbury claimed he invented this new method, but Alois Auer hotly disputed this and said he was the true inventor. 

Whoever credit is due to, this new process was a huge leap forward for naturalists. It meant that direct copies could be taken from nature and they didn't have to rely on artist's hand-drawings. 

This collection comprises nine of Bradbury's printed ferns. The book was written by Thomas Moore (1821-87) who was Curator of the Chelsea Physic Garden. The work was edited by the botanist John Lindley (1799-1865) and published by Bradbury & Evans, London. 

These ferns are presented in oak stained and waxed wooden frames. With their great decorative appeal and important botanical history, they offer a great opportunity.