PERKINS, John.   FLORAL DESIGNS FOR THE TABLE;   Being Directions For Its Ornamentation With Leaves, Flowers, & Fruit.    London: Wyman & Sons,   1877.          First and only edition of this scarce and handsome Victorian manual for floral table decoration illustrated with twenty-four original colored designs. The text provides generic lists of plants suitable for table decoration, plants which produce ornamental leaves and plants which produce suitable berries for table decoration. For each plate of designs there is accompanying descriptive text. The variety of tables shown runs from the family dinner table through the wedding breakfast, cricket luncheon and hunt breakfast tables to the Christmas dinner table. Perkins was head gardener to Lord Henniker.   Oblong 12mo (20.7 x 32.5 cm); 38 pp + (i) p. ads + 24 color lithographed plates.            Original printed paper over boards in floral design with cloth spine; two very tiny holes in free endpaper, else just about fine; an extremely well preserved copy. $1,250.00

CLICK To Return To Catalogue