Author: Maiden, J.H.
Publisher: William Applegate Gullick, Government Printer, Sydney.
Format: Hardcover folio with original board wrappers in letterpress, 18 plates, each captioned below image, 35.8 x 28.5cm.
Cover includes “Department of Public Instruction, New South Wales. Photographed from selected specimens. Brief botanical description of each specimen by J.H. Maiden, FLS. Sydney, William Applegate Gullick, Government Printer, 1911.”
Contains 18 crisp illustrations of Australian flora including flannel flowers, banksia, and waratah, with index inside front cover.
Joseph Henry Maiden (British, 1859–1925) was a botanist and public servant who made a major contribution to knowledge of Australian flora. He became curator of the Technological Museum, Sydney [Powerhouse], in 1880, and in 1896 became Director of the Botanic Gardens and Government Botanist. “Active in the movement to retain large areas of native forests, Maiden also published important work on the use of plants to stabilize sand drift and on the essential role of trees in flood mitigation. A leading member of an important group of urban improvers, he ardently advocated more parks and trees to soften urban landscapes, dispatching thousands of seeds and cuttings from the gardens to local councils and schools. He wanted protection for trees endangered by urban development, and popularized the palms which became a feature of Edwardian Sydney.” Ref: ADB. Held in Powerhouse Museum.
Slight crinkles and foxing overall, some pages annotated in pencil, soiling and wear to cover.
