<DIV><i>Botanica Magnifica</i> features two hundred and fifty stunning photographs by HasselbladLaureate Award winner Jonathan Singer, representingGÇöin the words of an ARTnewscriticGÇörare or exotic plants and flowers GÇ£in large scale and exquisite detail, emergingfrom the shadows in a manner evocative of Old Master paintings.GÇ¥<br>The original edition of <i>Botanica Magnifica</i>, consisting of five lavishly hand-boundvolumes, was limited to just ten copies, the first of which was recently donated to theSmithsonian Institution. The extra-large GÇ£double-elephantGÇ¥ format of that editionwas chosen in homage to the famous double-elephant folio of The Birds of America,and indeed, <i>Botanica Magnifica</i> is one of the few works of natural history ever to rivalAudubonGÇÖs magnum opus in its scope and artistry. In praise of the double-elephant folioof <i>Botanica Magnifica</i>, the SmithsonianGÇÖs Chairman of Botany attested, GÇ£Everyone whohas seen the photographs . . . has been tremendously impressed with the power, scale,and depth of the work.GÇ¥<br>Now SingerGÇÖs remarkable images are available to the public for the first time in thisbaby-elephant folio of <i>Botanica Magnifica</i>. Like the larger edition, this volume is organizedinto five alphabetically arranged sections, each introduced by a gatefold page thatdisplays one extraordinary plant at a luxurious size. Each pictured plant is accompaniedby a clear and accessible description of its botany, geography, folklore, history, and conservation.<br>This volume is also available in a leatherbound, slipcased edition. With its marvelousreproductions and fascinating text, the baby-elephant folio of <i>Botanica Magnifica</i> isone of the most impressive volumes of natural history ever published.</DIV>