Flore de Madagascar (Plantes Vasculaires): 49e Famille – Orchidées, Tome I & II by H. Perrier de la Bathie

An important and increasingly scarce two-volume botanical reference, Flore de Madagascar: 49e Famille – Orchidées is one of the landmark scientific works devoted to the extraordinary orchid flora of Madagascar. Written by the renowned French botanist Henri Perrier de la Bathie under the editorial direction of H. Humbert, this monumental study remains a cornerstone of orchid taxonomy and the botanical exploration of one of the world’s richest centres of plant diversity.

Originally published in 1939 (Tome I) and 1941 (Tome II) by the Imprimerie Officielle, Tananarive, these volumes were reproduced as the Second Reprint (1980) by Margaret M. Ilgenfritz of Monroe, Michigan. Produced in relatively small numbers, the Ilgenfritz reprints are seldom encountered on the market and are highly sought after by specialist collectors, research libraries, orchid enthusiasts and botanists who require access to this classic reference without the prohibitive cost of the original editions.

Written entirely in French, the work provides detailed taxonomic descriptions, scientific observations and nomenclatural treatments covering the Orchidaceae of Madagascar. Many of the species discussed remain of considerable scientific interest today, making Flore de Madagascar valuable not only as historical references but also as enduring research tools. Their significance extends beyond orchid studies to African botany, tropical flora, conservation biology and the history of botanical science.

Complete two-volume sets are considerably more difficult to obtain than individual volumes, particularly in such well-preserved condition. Beautifully bound in green cloth with gilt spine lettering, Flore de Madagascar would be equally at home in a specialist botanical library, university collection or the shelves of a serious orchid collector. Given the rarity of this edition and the continuing international interest in Madagascar’s unique flora, this represents an outstanding opportunity to acquire one of the classic botanical monographs of the twentieth century.

Condition – Near Fine

Complete two-volume set. Green cloth boards with bright gilt lettering to the spines. Light shelf wear to the board edges only. Both bindings remain firm and square with clean, unmarked interiors.