Orquideas de Venezuela

Description:

Text Spanish. Galfrid Dunsterville (1905-1988) was an English-born engineer and orchid specialist, best known for his botanical work illustrating and studying the orchids of Venezuela. Trained as a mining engineer, he spent much of his early career with the Shell Oil Company. After being posted to Venezuela in 1947, he developed a deep interest in the country’s native orchids, devoting himself to painting, studying, drawing, and collecting them. His botanical work was supported by his wife, Ellinor Dunsterville, known as “Nora,” who accompanied him on expeditions and assisted in documenting their findings. His expertise and artistic skill became widely recognised both within Shell and in scientific circles. In response, Shell Venezuela commissioned a Spanish-language illustrated publication presenting selected species of Venezuelan orchids.

Condition

Folio, (440x330mm); explanatory stitched booklet, 18 loose mounted col plates, orig card cover (inscribed by author) in plain card slip case (worn and torn). Accompanied by a set of 18 hinged Venexuelan Orchid Stamps which reproduced these plates, dated 1963, also signed by Dunsterville.