Stevens Peaches antique print. Superb lifelike illustration c1917.

by Hedrick, U.P.

Fine composition showing Stevens Peaches, seeds and foliage.

Original photolithograph for horticulturist, U.P. Hedrick's The Peaches of New York published by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1917. This beautiful illustration was produced by photographing each fruit with four colour-record negatives from which the final colour plate could be printed.

From 1905 to 1925 the USDA employed artists and published fine illustrations on fruit crops being grown in the U.S. The earliest of these wonderful illustrations were small lithographs for Apples of New York, for Station horticulturist Spencer Ambrose Beach (1860-1922). Over a period of 18 years horticulturist, Ulysses Prentiss Hedrick (1870-1951) continued the work, and was responsible for six beautifully illustrated works on grapes, plums, cherries, peaches, pears and small fruits.

Fine condition, 395 x 220mm (15 1/2 x 9 3/4 inches).