Liége, published by the editor, 1857. 8vo-sized (23.6 x 15.2 cm).

A fine illustration of a 19th century Belgian pear cultivar, engraved in stone by the famous botanical engraver Georges Severeijns, or Severeyns. "Indeed, the Belgians seem to have been quite carried off their feet by pear-breeding, and during the first half of the nineteenth century a fad like the "tulip craze" of Holland and the "mulberry craze" of America reigned in the country. Among the breeders are found the names of priests, physicians, scientists, apothecaries, attorneys, tradesmen, and gentlemen of leisure. ... The awarding of medals for new pears produced the horticultural sensations of the times. ... the great fact, be it remembered, is that these amateur pear-breeders wrought in a few years a complete transformation in a fruit that had been domesticated and had been fairly stable for over 2000 years." (Hedrick, " The pears of New York"). Slight age-toning and offsetting, small glue patches in the left margin, otherwise very good, clean. Nissen BBI, 2218.