Citrus Journal — Pancrace Bessa 1801–1819 Traité des Arbres et Arbustes Bitter Orange & Five Citrus Varieties Botanical Engravings

Pancrace Bessa (1772–1846) — pupil of Pierre-Joseph Redouté, commissioned by King Charles X, and creator of approximately 572 watercolors on vellum for the Traité des Arbres et Arbustes que l'on cultive en France en pleine terre (1801–1819) — produced some of the most celebrated citrus plates in the history of botanical illustration. The front cover presents Citrus Bigaradia Sinensis (engraved by Jarry): delicate white Azahar blossoms prized in perfumery, glossy ovate leaves, and fruit from green to vibrant orange; the back presents Plate 26 from L'Herbier Général de l'Amateur (Paris, 1810–1827), engraved by Gabriel: a hand-colored stipple study of five citrus varieties — variegated bitter orange, standard bitter orange, pomelo, citron, and sweet lemon — a taxonomic portrait of the Rutaceae family for French aristocracy and amateur botanists.

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Product Details

• Format: Hardcover journal with matte laminated full-wrap cover
• Pages: 150 lined pages (75 sheets) with perforations for easy removal
• Binding: Casewrap sewn binding — flexible and lay-flat
• Dimensions: 5.75 × 8 inches
• Weight: 250 g (0.55 lbs)
• Cover: Matte laminated full-wrap print; small 0.5" × 0.5" production barcode on back

Perfect For

• Botanical illustrators and natural history artists studying golden age engraving techniques
• Citrus enthusiasts, pomologists, and gardeners cultivating heritage varieties
• Historians of science and collectors celebrating French Napoleonic-era botanical publications
• Herbalists and perfumers working with orange blossom, neroli, and citrus essential oils
• Culinary historians and marmalade makers inspired by bitter orange traditions
• Rare book bibliophiles appreciating L'Herbier Général de l'Amateur and Traité des Arbres et Arbustes