Italian botanical Herbarium, 51 specimens
Italian botanical Herbarium, 51 specimens
Italy
This remarkable collection of 51 botanical herbarium specimens presents each specimen meticulously laid, pressed and mounted on period paper with protective tissue overlays, bearing handwritten Latin identifications and "Botanica" stamps characteristic of academic botanical practice circa 1880-1920. The collection's uniformity and systematic presentation suggest it originated from a single educational or research institution, possibly compiled for teaching purposes or private scholarly study. The specimens retain exceptional preservation, with many displaying intact root systems, stems, foliage, and delicate flower structures, a testament to the collector's expertise and the period's rigorous botanical methodology.
An excellent example of early botanical documentation. Notable specimens range from beautifully aged poppies and chestnuts to fungi such as peronospora (the vine disease), as well as unexpected algae and lichens. These are complemented by more familiar plants like maize and juniper, alongside “classically botanical” species such as borage, elder, and hypericum. Each specimen is accompanied by its Latin name and family, the Italian vernacular name, and additional notes in Italian regarding the time to seed and the places where it can be found or cultivated.
Every page is a small discovery, carrying the scent of earth, fields, woods, forests, and marshes. Perhaps because the specimens are Italian - and because we are too - this collection has a subtle melancholic flair that speaks directly to our hearts.
45 leaves for 51 mounted specimens, with protective tissue overlays
45 leaves, 6 of which hold two specimens each, for a total of 51 specimens. The labels on each leaf are numbered, but not sequentially, suggesting active use of the folder. The numbering reaches 100, indicating that nearly half of the original specimens are unfortunately no longer present. Despite this loss, the collection remains in very good condition, with age-related toning. The specimens are well preserved, showing no significant yellowing. The delicate protective tissue overlays exhibit some creasing but are largely intact. The housing folder is possibly of later date (c. 1950s). The entire collection is now kept in a modern protective box to prevent damage. A charming collection, in very good conditions.
Dimensions (inches): 15 1/2 x 12 x 3
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