Fair Ring Mushrooms, Marasmius oreades antique print c1893.

by Louis Krieger

Edible mushrooms lithograph for USDA by Louis Krieger.

Louis Charles Christopher Krieger (1873-1940) trained as an artist in Munich and Baltimore. At the age of 18 he joined the Department of Agriculture Division of Pomology to produce lithographs for the Yearbook of the United States Department of Agriculture. The USDA commissioned scientifically accurate illustrations of fruit and vegetables that were cultivated in USA, or introduced by U.S.D.A plant explorers during the late 19th and early 20th century when American agriculture greatly expanded the range of fruit and vegetables grown on a commercial scale, and developed many new cultivars.

Described as “one of the world’s most unusual holdings of late 19^th and early 20^th century American botanical illustrations” the scientifically accurate paintings were used to create lithographs between 1886 and 1942 to illustrate U.S.D.A. bulletins, yearbooks, and other printed publications for distribution to growers and gardeners across America. The majority of colour-printed lithographs were published between 1894 and 1916.

Print size is 23 x 14cm ( 9 x 5.5 inches). Slight age-discoloured paper, which complements this lovely image.