Erica Neillii, Neil's Erica. Joseph Paxton Heath lithograph c1842

by Paxton, Joseph

Joseph Paxton Erica Neillii antique print. Neil's Erica.

Original hand-coloured lithograph by Samuel Holden for Joseph Paxton. Published in London c1842 for Paxton's Magazine of Botany & Register of Flowering Plants. Sir Joseph Paxton (1803-1865) was a hugely talented man. Starting as a gardener at 15 years of age, he ended up knighted and a member of Parliament - which was an even greater feat considering the era.

Paxton's intelligence, enthusiasm and horticultural skill 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 style, designed by Paxton, and based on his design for a fine glasshouse conservatory on the Estate of Chatsworth. Paxton was knighted following this marvellous architectural feat.

Size of page 230 x 155mm ( 9 x 6 inches).