I picked up
Decorative Cacti in Tucson in 2011. It’s an oldie, published in 1973 by Spring Books and printed in Czechoslovakia, Olga Kuthanová is listed as the translator of text by Rudolk Šubik. The book begins with a 17 page introduction to growing cacti and succulents followed by a section with over 100 pages of full page color illustrations with lengthy plant descriptions on the facing pages.
The illustrations are done by Jiřina Kaplická who has quite the
botanical illustration resume; these are why I bought the book.
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| Opuntia microdasys |
And here’s where I’ll lose several of you…I’ve taken the book apart. I know, to some that’s a high crime, but I wanted to frame a few of the illustrations (they fit an 8 x 10” frame perfectly). They really are quite lovely…
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| Agave victoriae reginae |
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| Aloe concinna |
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| Aloe variegata |
I paid $7.50, although there is an ancient Kmart price tag on the inner flap for $2.87 and a new copy will run you over $300 on Amazon, seriously (I pity the fool…). Luckily there are
several used copies available for $.01 (+ $3.99 shipping), if you’re in the market for some inexpensive botanical illustrations of cacti and succulents this seems like the perfect source.
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| Euphorbia grandicornis |
Since I’ve got another 50 plates with no plans for them I’m looking for ideas…anyone really creative out there? What would you do with these illustrations?
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| Euphorbia obesa |
I love old botanical illustrations, and these look fantastic. I'll get myself a copy of the book :-).
ReplyDeleteYay! I can't wait to hear what you do with it...or maybe you're planning on just leaving it as is?
DeleteBotanical illustrations are hit and miss with me -- sometimes I hate them, and sometimes they really work for me. These fall into the latter category, and the one of the Opuntia is especially attractive to me.
ReplyDeleteWhat to do with the extras: succulent flashcards?
Funny you say "hit and miss" as I have the same reaction. Succulent flashcards...very interesting...
DeleteI'm sure Pinterest has plenty of ideas for what to do with those brilliant old illustrations! I love them, have no problem whatsoever with you taking the book apart to get at them. They will look fabulous framed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Pinterest suggestion Alison, that's a good idea!
DeleteThose are great illustrations and I agree they are better framed than stuck in a book.
ReplyDeleteYou could offer them at a good consignment shop, ebay, or swap for plants.
Swap for plants! you know how I love new plants...
DeleteI'd arrange the extras under a glass topped table.
ReplyDeleteJust when I was thinking I didn't have a glass topped table my eyes fell on an old cocktail side-table that indeed does have a glass insert...
DeleteI love those!!! Think I might bid on some myself :). Definitely frame some. You could also do up a table top for a potting station with them.
ReplyDeleteOh how I would love to have a potting station! Maybe if you ever make it down to Portland I can give you the rest of the illustrations as a welcome gift!
DeleteI love these - followed your link and got the "very good" 99 cent copy ...
ReplyDeleteThe extras ... Christmas cards? Framed prints on etsy? Rethink other art and take over an entire wall?
You know more of them framed on a wall would look pretty cool, I'd just been working them in with existing collections but dedicating a whole wall to them would be kind of cool. If I can convince the husband to accept the idea.
DeleteSomehow I have to believe that the illustrator would be pleased with your creativity. I'm with Alison. You should check Pinterest.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a wonderful Christmas. No snow here but I just heard my coworkers in Texas had a white Christmas. Texas. Can you believe it? :)
I can believe anything weather wise these days...it's just been crazy! Hope you had a excellent Christmas too Grace.
DeleteI think it's a great idea to frame them, they do look lovely! Why not frame them all (or just save the remaining photo pages), rotate periodically the ones you display for a bit of variety through the year, much like what you would do for potted plants out in the garden :)
ReplyDelete