Featon, E. H. and S. A. Featon
The Art Album of New Zealand Flora; being a systematic and popular description of the native flowering plants of New Zealand and the adjacent islands by Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Featon. Volume 1. Authors' edition. [All published].
Wellington, Bock & Cousins [and London, Trübner], 1889. Large 4to (29.6 x 24.6 cm). xvi, 180 pp.; chromolithographed frontispiece and 39 fine, chromolithographed plates, all tissue-guarded. Original green pebbled and embossed cloth. Gilt title on the spine and front board. Floral-pattered endpapers.
A very nicely printed work with beautiful, large illustrations by Sarah Ann Featon (née Porter, 1848-1927), and text by her husband, Edward Henry Featon (1840-1909). "The album was the first full-colour art book to be published in New Zealand" (Sampson). This is the author's edition, with a list of subscribers in the rear. "The Featons set out to produce their album to debunk the widely held belief that there were no flowers in New Zealand" (Dawson). Various bindings have been described by several antiquarians, however, this seems to be the original, publisher's binding. Unmarked. In a mint state. Dawson, B.(1999). Lady Painters : The Flower Painters of Early New Zealand; Sampson, F. B. (1985). Early New Zealand Botanical Art. Not in Nissen BBI.