Australian Boronia anemonaefolia. Anemone-leaved Boronia. Joseph Paxton c1842.

by Paxton, Joseph

Native of New Holland, Pink Boronia antique print.

Wonderful original hand-coloured lithograph by Samuel Holden for Joseph Paxton. Published in London c.1841 for Paxton's Magazine of Botany & Register of Flowering Plants.

Sir Joseph Paxton (1803-1865) was a hugely talented man. With little formal education, Paxton began as a gardener at 15, and ended up knighted and a member of Parliament - which was an even greater feat considering the times he lived in.

Paxton's intelligence, enthusiasm and hard work were rewarded by his appointment when only 23 as Head Gardener of one of England’s finest gardens, the Duke of Devonshire’s Chatsworth Estate. Although usually considered a landscape gardener, Paxton’s diverse talents gained him a reputation as both architect and engineer - particularly for his design of glasshouses. Known as the Crystal Palace, the enormous wrought iron and glass structure for the Great London International Exhibition of 1851 was quite a revolutionary building - in style and method. It was designed by Paxton, and based on his design for a large glasshouse conservatory at Chatsworth. Paxton was knighted following this marvellous architectural feat.

Size of page 230mm x 150mm ( 9 x 6 inches).