'The Book of the Royal Horticultural Society 1862-1863'
Information
Title
'The Book of the Royal Horticultural Society 1862-1863'
Original Reference
RHS/Ken/9/1
Date
1863
Scope & content
Printed published volume entitled 'The Book of the Royal Horticultural Society 1862-1863', written by Andrew Murray, assistant secretary for the Royal Horticultural Society, with illustrations and photographs by John Leighton, Thomas Scott and C. Thurston Thompson. The volume gives a history of the Society from its inception in 1804 to 1863, after the opening of the Society's garden at Kensington and the death of Prince Albert. It includes illustrations of the Society's garden at Chiswick and illustrations and photographs of the garden at Kensington. The volume includes detailed facts and figures relating to various aspects of the Society's history, management and development
Overview of contents:
Page v: Sonnet, by Shirley Brooks
Pages vii-x: Preface
Pages xi-xii: Contents
Pages 1-44: The establishment, early history and progress of the Society
Pages 45-88: The presidency of the Prince Consort, and the memorial of 1851
Pages 89-108: The Society in connection with the International Exhibition, 1862
Pages 109-180: The description of the garden, conservatory, statues etc
Pages 181-225: Appendix
Charles Thurston Thompson (1816-1868), official photographer to the South Kensington Museum (now the Victoria & Albert Museum), was commissioned by the RHS to produce photographs of the Society's garden at Kensington to illustrate the publication, celebrating the opening of the garden in 1860. For a summary of the photographs in the publication, see RHS/P/KG/4
Includes plates of royal autographs of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
A bookplate inside the front cover reads 'Robert P. Key'. A Library bookplate states that the volume was presented to the Library by Mr Parker Bowles in October 1954
A pencil note on the inside front cover reads 'This is the only copy in which the plates are correctly bound in according list on p xi-xii'. A note on rear endpaper reads 'Repaired by the Wigmore Bindery 12/55. 25s'
The appendix to the volume comprises copies of correspondence between John Wedgwood and Sir Joseph Banks; a list of the original members of the society; a list of office-bearers and members of council since the formation of the Horticultural Society; the original charter of the Society; and the new charter and agreements of the Royal Horticultural Society and the Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851
Physical description: Bound in green, with emblem design stamped in gold, black and pink on front and back covers and a design in gold and black on spine. Labelled on spine 'Book of the Royal Horticultural Society'. Dimensions: 30.5 (h) x 24 (w) x 3 (d) cm
Condition: Binding breaking but pages are reasonably robust. Producible but handle with care
Summary of contents:
Pages 1-44: The chapter, 'The establishment, early history and progress of the Society' includes a history of the progress of horticulture and British gardening, with reference to plant collecting abroad and the focus on collecting over cultivation. The chapter describes the creation of the Horticultural Society of London, including its founding members, aims, management and development. It includes information relating to the charter and bye-laws, the officers and fellows, the Society's finances, plant collecting, exhibitions, the experimental gardens at Kensington and Chiswick, and the Society's publications, including the 'Transactions', journals and catalogues
Pages 45-88: The chapter, 'The presidency of the Prince Consort, and the memorial of 1851', includes a history of the Society after the death of the president of the Society, the Duke of Devonshire, and the election of Prince Albert. The chapter includes the creation and development of the Society's garden in Kensington, in collaboration with Prince Albert and the Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851. It details the agreements between the Society and the Commissioners, including financial arrangements and various conditions of the lease of the land to the Society. The construction and progress of the garden and building works is described, including the execution of a memorial. The chapter includes information relating to the Fine Arts Committee, chaired by Prince Albert, created for the exhibition of sculpture in the garden. The opening of the garden on 5 Jun 1861 is described, including the displays of plants and flowers, the royal procession through the grounds, the entertainment provided by military bands, and the address made by Prince Albert. The chapter ends with an account of the death of Prince Albert and its effect on the Society
Pages 89-108: The chapter, 'The Society in connection with the International Exhibition, 1862', describes the Society's involvement in the International Exhibition of 1862 and the arrangements with the Commissioners, including mutual access to the garden and the exhibitions, and admission prices and tickets. The chapter includes information relating to exhibits by the Society, military bands, the exhibition of works of art, and prizes. It describes the Society's Great Shows, the American Show and the Great International Fruit Show. It describes the construction of exhibition tents and gives an account of a storm which damaged a tent and the plants within
Pages 109-180: The chapter, 'The description of the garden, conservatory, statues etc', begins by describing the history of the previous buildings and businesses on the site of the Society's garden at Kensington, including Hale House and Brompton Park Nursery. It goes on to give a detailed description of all of the different parts of the Society's garden, including the entrance, arcades, conservatory, Council room, band stands, walkways, terraces, cascade, canals, maze and gardens. The chapter includes detailed dimensions for different structures and areas, and describes the materials used for construction. The statues and sculptures of the garden are described throughout the chapter. The chapter describes the construction of an 'Artesian well' and use of an 'Appold pump' for supplying water to the garden. Other items of note include the use of coloured gravels, the fish in the central basin, and insects and frogs in the conservatory
Pages 181-182: Appendix I: 'Correspondence between Mr Wedgwood and Sir Joseph Banks, relative to the establishment of the Horticultural Society', written June to July 1801
Page 183: Appendix II: 'List of original members of the Society'
Page 184-193: Appendix III: 'List of office-bearers and members of Council since the formation of the Society', including presidents, treasurers and secretaries
Pages 194-197: Appendix IV: 'Original charter of the Horticultural Society of London'
Pages 198-225: Appendix V: 'New charter and agreements of the Royal Horticultural Society', including the agreements between the Society and the Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851 for the lease of land at Kensington for the creation of a garden