Camus, E. and P. Bergon and A. Camus.
Monographie des orchidées de l'Europe, de l'Afrique septentrionale, de l'Asie mineure et des provinces Russes transcaspiennes.
Paris, Jacques Lechevalier, 1908. 4to (27.2 x 21.0 cm). 484 pp.; 32 lithographed plates. Cloth with gilt-titled morocco label on spine, marbled flyleaves. Original printed wrappers bound in.
Apart from the title page, the text is mimeographed and the plates in a rather late lithography after drawings of Mme Aimé Camus. The 32 plates contain 1100 figures - a very large number. It is rare as it was printed only in 175 numbered copies. Unnumbered copies, however, are known too, but the original print run must have been low anyway. In the preface the author states: " Plusieurs de nos confrères m'ont demandé de faire une deuxième édition de ce monographie. J'ai pensé qu'il y avait beaucoup à gagner à élangir considérablement le cadre du travail. L'étendue de la circonscription étudiée comporte toute l'Europe, les Iles de la Méditerranée, d'Afrique septentrionale, l'Asie Mineure et les Provinces Transcaucasiennes" (not "transcaspiennes", as in the title). Signed by the author with "Exemplaire No. 94" written in his own hand. A nice, well-bound copy. Stafleu and Cowan, 969.