George Flemwell, The Flower-Fields of Alpine Switzerland, 1911 - leatherbound

This stunning antique leather bound volume combines three of my favourite things art, flowers and books. George Flemwell was the author and artist of The Flower-Fields of Alpine Switzerland, which was published in 1911 and contains 26 beautiful colour reproductions of watercolour drawings. The marbled front and end papers as well as the text edges drew me to this fabulous book but the illustrations within are truly lovely - retaining their freshness and capturing the beauty of the alpine landscape and the flowers that thrive there. There is a small strip of paper bound into the volume noting the original watercolours are exhibited and will remain on sale at the Doré Galleries, New Bond Street, London. 

The book was originally cloth bound but the original owner has had it covered in a stunning red leather complete with gold tooled border as well as a central shield surrounded by the collection details. 

Inside a further interesting connection is an elegant bookplate of a prior owner John Nankervis, who passed away in 2022 and was regarded as one of New Zealand’s most gifted mountaineers and greatly loved in the climbing community. The connection of this alpine book to someone who loved the mountains and was involved in conserving that environment just adds to its appeal for me. It is in wonderful condition with a little minor foxing to some of the text pages. 

Please look closely at the photographs as they form an important part of the description. If you have any questions please get in touch (contact@eldercroftandsons.co.nz).