WOOLWARD, Florence (1854-1930). The Genus Masdevallia, issued by the Marquess of Lothian, K.T., Chiefly from Plants in his Collection of Orchids at Newbattle Abbey... with additional notes by F.C. Lehmann. London: Lyne & Sons for R.H. Porter, 1890-1896.

9 parts in one volume, folio (440 x 314 mm). Errata leaf, directions to the binder slip. 87 hand-colored lithographic plates by M. & N. Hanhart after F.C. Lehmann, J. Barbosa Rodriquez, and Woolward (one double-page), double-page map, and 61 wood-engraved text illustrations. (Some minor staining to text and occasionally to plate margins.) Modern full red morocco gilt, nine original printed wrappers bound in at end, top edge gilt. Provenance: Collingwood Lindsay Wood (1830-1906) of Freeland, Perthshire, Scotland (armorial bookplate); George Hamilton Kenrick (1850-1939), English entomologist who specialised in Lepidoptera (presentation inscription to his nephew): Arthur Neville Chamberlain (1869-1940) British Conservative politician, was appointed in 1931 Chancellor of the Exchequer in the National Government, Prime Minister from 1937-1940, (armorial bookplate and pencil presentation inscription "N.C. from G.H.K., January 1931"); sold Christie's New York, 4 December 2014, Sale 3400, lot 199.

FIRST EDITION. In her introduction the author remarks upon her involvement in this publication: "It is no doubt advantageous in botanical work ... that the person who makes the original drawing from nature should also lithograph the plates and indicate the colours to be used by the colorist, for, by this means, the work passes through fewer hands and is more likely to turn out accurate. I have therefore pursued this method throughout the present work, and have, besides, touched up the colouring of every plate sent out, numbering nearly 9,000" (Introduction). Great Flower Books, p.152; Nissen BBI 2185; Stafleu & Cowan TL2 18.284.