Background:

These hand-colored prints are from a mid-1800s series on British Ferns giving "pictorial, as well as descriptive representations of our native species".   They are based on illustrations by the Scottish-born botanical artist Walter Hood Fitch (1817-1892).

During Fitch's lifetime he executed over 10,000 drawings for various publications, including Curtis's Botanical Magazine.   Such was his skill that he could draw directly onto the lithographic stone to save time.  Upon his death the obituary in Nature stated "...his reputation was so high and so world-wide that it is unnecessary to say much on this point".

Regarding this series, it is noted in the Introduction "The Ferns are general favourites with the lovers of Nature and of the horticulturist, in consequence of the extreme beauty and gracefulness of their forms".