LARGE Fern print ASPIDIUM THELYPTERIS European Ferns Britten Antique 1879

Original antique print from

European Ferns

 by James Britten, published by Cassell in 1879

ASPIDIUM THELYPTERIS

James Britten (1846-1924) was born in Chelsea, London.  He was educated privately and was, at first, inclined towards a medical career.  However, at an early age he had become interested in plants and so in 1869, he accepted a post in the herbarium at Kew.   He moved from Kew to the Department of Botany in the British Museum in 1871 and remained there until his retirement in 1909.

He published notes on the plants found near Kew bridge, on the plants of Buckinghamshire and an account of the Crassulaceae (for a Flora of tropical Africa – Flora Capensis).   “This was perhaps his most important piece of purely taxonomic work” A B Rendle.  He also produced ‘European ferns’, ‘A dictionary of plant names’ and ‘A Biographical Index of British and Irish Botanists’ – the latter in conjunction with George Boulger.

From 1879 to 1924, he acted as Editor of the Journal of Botany (British and Foreign); this became the journal for the records of British plants, descriptions of new species, botanical bibliographies and obituaries. Incidentally, he contributed to the first edition of this journal in 1863, which was his list of rare and exotic plants at Kew Bridge.  His editorial contributions were read with considerable interest as he had a ready wit and keen sense of humour, combined with strong views cogently expressed.  He had an immense botanical knowledge though he would declare that ‘he could never see anything down a microscope‘.

The print is a Colour lithograph on a medium/heavy weight paper and is in good condition. There may be light foxing, creasing and toning due to age. 

Please inspect image supplied.

Approximate size (in cm)

Page 27 x 21    Image 22 x 17½

Approximate size (in inches)

Page 10½ x 8¼    Image 8¾ x 7

 Please view my other Britten Ferns for sale. I will combine shipping.