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Fascination with orchids started in Europe around 1818. People became so taken with orchids that they reached a state popularly described as an orchidelirium. The demand for these exotic beauties was so great that orchids became a big business. The wealthy commissioned professional plant explorers (Orchid Hunters) to gather plants from equatorial regions around the world.

The Orchid Hunters risked life and limb and endured many hardships, dangerous voyages, hostile cultures, thieves and exotic diseases. The engraving shown above appeared in La Belgique Horticole in 1878

During the second half of the nineteenth century, Belgium became the center of the world for the cultivation of orchids. Jean Linden (1817-1898) was instrumental in the discovery and introduction of many new species. A native of Luxembourg, he moved to Belgium where he imported more than 1,100 different orchids. His explorations included trips to South America, Cuba, Mexico and the United States.

Two important publications were produced. La Belgique Horticole began publication in 1851 and Revue de l'horticulture Belge in 1875. Both captured beautifully colored orchid botanical chromolithographs. The development of the many -stone chromolithographic process provided a media by which new varieties of orchids could be witnessed. Ghent (Gand) was the center of Horticulture and market gardening. It is one of Belgium's oldest cities and the historic capital of Flanders. The beautiful botanical originals were lithographed in Ghent Belgium also known as "The City of Flowers" The chromolithographs were executed by De pannemaker who was well known for his expertise.

This CD portrays 64 high-resolution digital BMP images of orchids which appeared in La Belgique Horticole from 1871-1884 and Revue de L'horticulture Belge from 1881-1892. These images were scanned from the originals, and have not been altered. Many retain their attractive age toning. These images can be imported to Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, PaintShop Pro, Adobe PhotoDelux, PrintMaster and other popular painting and drawing programs and printed on quality inkjet paper producing stunning results suitable for framing. Or for designing your own greeting cards, posters, brochures and calendars.

The print out size is the same size as the originals, if not enlarged or reduced. I have found that these Images print best on Hammer mill Ink Jet Matte paper. When printed directly from the CD, they are the actual size. (The same as the originals) and the result is an awesome print almost indistinguishable as a reprint, even when using a relatively inexpensive home ink jet printer. If Image permanence is a concern, these digital images will also render beautiful professional quality prints when professionally printed on acid free paper using the Giclée (jhee-clay) printing process. This printing process is very stable, giving fade & color shift resistance of 75 years on watercolor paper under average indoor light conditions.

BELOW IS A THUMBNAIL SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE IMAGES.