Antique Botanical Wall Chart: Grapes, Pineapple, Agave, Hermann Zippel, Carl Bollmann, Germany, 1880s

This fascinating wall chart with life-sized drawings of two grapevines, a pineapple and an agave will make a most decorative wall hanging in any culinary or botanical environment!

Printed on canvas the chart was part of a series of botanical educational wall charts published in Germany between 1876 and 1899 by the publishing house Friedrich Vieweg & Sohn, of Braunschweig, Germany.

It is the first chart of eleven of the first edition and was accompanied by the explanatory text "Ausländische Culturpflanzen in bunten Wand-Tafeln" written by Hermann Zippel with all illustrations by artist and printmaker Karl Bollmann (both taught at the same school in Gera).

The title (foreign cultivated plants in colourful wall charts) as well as the text contain some unusual spellings to the modern reader, dating it to before 1902 when many hard 'c' spellings where replaced with 'k' (e.g., Cultur became Kultur) after the Second Orthographic Conference in 1901 to standardize German spelling.

Considering its age and the fact that it was handled by many students (and survived two world wars), the chart is in reasonably good condition, with some obvious signs of its age along the edges. It appears to have been stored folded in the middle at one time. Furthermore, the title is obscured by the upper wooden slats, presumably the result of repair at one stage in its lifetime. 

There is a partial sticker on the back with with the letters "Bi" - this most likely stood for "biology" and would have been followed by a code, so it could be easily identified in the "map-room" and retrieved for the lesson.

This chart will most certainly become a focal point in its new home and will delight, botanists, foodies and wine lovers alike!

Dimensions:
Height: 58 cm (22.8 in)
Length: 80 cm (31.5 in)

Please note:

With a lifetime of stories behind them, our vintage design items come with a bit of character.
Like the best of us, they may have picked up some scratches and scuff marks, acquired patina, and that original shine may have faded a little. And like with most of us, the internal struggles are not always visible to the outside world.
Our second-hand items may not fulfil state-of-the art safety standards and codes in your region. Inner faults may exist that were missed by us. Please always consult with a certified professional before installing any electrical items.
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