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A striking 1912 illustrated orchid nursery catalog from Lager & Hurrell of Summit, New Jersey, accompanied by an original Lager & Hurrell paid invoice dated November 13, 1913.
Issued as Orchids: Illustrated and Descriptive Catalogue and Price List, the catalog documents the extensive range of orchids cultivated, imported, and sold by Lager & Hurrell during the early twentieth century. It includes illustrated listings of Cattleyas, Cypripediums, Dendrobiums, Vandas, and numerous other orchid varieties, together with cultivation information, prices, orchid growing supplies, books, baskets, soils, and related materials.
The pictorial wrappers are particularly attractive. The front features Vanda teres, while the rear depicts Vanda sanderiana. The interior is extensively illustrated with photographs of individual specimens, flowering plants, and orchid displays.
Especially interesting is the accompanying original Lager & Hurrell sales invoice, made out to C. M. Shipman of Rossville, Staten Island, New York, and stamped PAID November 13, 1913. The invoice records the purchase of “Collection No. 4,” six orchids in six varieties, for $9.00. That same Collection No. 4 was offered by Lager & Hurrell as a group of six orchid plants in six varieties for $9.00, giving the invoice a direct connection to the nursery’s printed catalog offerings.
The invoice additionally records the individual orchids supplied in manuscript, making the pairing an appealing surviving record of both the marketing and actual sale of orchids by an important early twentieth century commercial grower.
Edition Details
Author: Lager & Hurrell
Title: Orchids: Illustrated and Descriptive Catalogue and Price List
Place: Summit, New Jersey
Publisher: Lager & Hurrell
Date: 1912
Format: Illustrated nursery catalog
Binding: Illustrated pictorial wrappers
Pagination: 52, [1] pages with one unnumbered plate
Subject: Orchids, horticulture, nursery trade, botanical commerce
Accompanied by: Lager & Hurrell paid invoice dated November 13, 1913
Condition
Good overall. Pictorial wrappers show creasing, rubbing, edge wear, small chips, and short tears. Binding is weakened at the gutter with some separation and loosening. Interior pages show age toning, handling wear, creasing, and occasional edge tears. Period manuscript annotations are present. A small rectangular section has been clipped from one interior leaf, resulting in localized loss to the printed material on both sides, as photographed. Original 1913 invoice has folds, light toning, and handling wear and retains a clear PAID stamp.
Please see photographs for the best description of condition.
