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Australian Acacia oxycedrus. Paxton Wattle antique print c1840.

Australian Acacia oxycedrus. Paxton Wattle antique print c1840.

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by Paxton, Joseph

Superb original lithograph for Paxton by Samuel Holden.

Published in London circa 1840 by Sir Joseph Paxton for Paxton's Magazine of Botany & Flowering Plants. Sir Joseph Paxton (1803-1865) was a hugely talented man. His reputation was established in the field of botany, where he arranged publication of superbly illustrated flowers that had been discovered around the world.

After minimal education, he started working as a gardener at the age of 15. His skill and enthusiasm were recognized and at the age of 23 he was Head Gardener of the Duke of Devonshire's grand Chatsworth estate, one of England's finest gardens. He was an excellent landscape gardener, but his diverse talents extended to both architecture and engineering. He became renowned for the glass houses he designed. 

After disagreement over the proposed design for the 1851 London Exhibition's Crystal Palace, Paxton's alternative design was commissioned instead. Paxton's design for the Crystal Palace was based on the conservatory he built at Chatsworth. He apparently composed his intricate Crystal Palace design in only nine days. His efforts were rewarded with a knighthood.

Size of page 23 x 15 cm (9 x 6 inches). There is unfortunately a change to paper tone across the title portion at the base of this superb lithograph. Price reduced.

Stock Number: apbfP71Price: $85.00