Saxifrages or Rockfoils

Saxifrages or Rockfoils by Walter Irving and Reginald A Malby, FRPS. Headley Brothers [nd]. Hardback. With coloured frontispiece (by Irving) and b/w photographs and drawings. 147pp plus advertisements. Worn red cloth cover with slight damage to head of spine. Some foxing on internal pages with a few stains on the edge of the pages. Signature in pencil on front endpaper. Apart from the above comments, in good condition.

The prefatory note reads: ‘No family of plants is more useful in the rock garden than the Saxifrages or Rockfoils. The increasing interest in Alpines and rock-gardening has resulted in the introduction of countless new varieties to the garden public, and every season witnesses the arrival of fresh hybrids. The object of the volume is to help the garden lover to become acquainted with the most important members of the family, so that he may be able to choose the best varieties, and having chosen to grow them successfully. Information is given as to the habitats of the species, the class to which they belong, and the hybrids that have been bred from them. A chapter from the pen of Dr Salter deals with the Saxifrages of the Pyrenees. The illustrations are the work of Mr Reginald A Malby, FRPS.’

In June 1922, Walter Irving became assistant curator of the Herbaceous and Alpine Department at Kew Gardens. Under his guidance, the Rock Garden was completely rebuilt. He was also a keen photographer. The following is from the Kew Journal: ‘and of later years, he has become the possessor of a first-class wireless receiving set, and is able to enjoy many pleasant hours of relaxation from this source. To those who know him best, Mr Irving is of a very modest, retiring disposition, though he is always willing to place his extensive knowledge, gained as the result of his lifetime’s work among hardy plants, at the service of others. His sterling qualities have endeared him to a wide circle of horticultural friends, in addition to the many who have known and served under his able guidance while at Kew.’

Reginald Malby was a pioneering plant photographer and the official photographer to the Royal Horticultural Society. He was made a fellow of the Royal Photographic Society. He formed Reginald A Malby & Co., in 1890 – it was based in Chelmsford Road, Woodford, Essex.