Four cultivars of the garden tulip: 'Verwindt', 'La belle Donville', 'La Veuve' and 'Semper Augustus'

The names of the varieties of the tulips in this and the following two lots are derived from the captions associated with illustrations of similar examples found in 17th Century 'Tulip books'. A number of such albums survive, although their original purpose is unclear: they may have been records of single collections or prospectuses commissioned by speculative bulb breeders. An important complete example of the type, illustrated by Pieter Holsteijn II, was formerly in the Dr Anton C.R. Dreesmann collection, sold at Christie's, London, 11 April 2002, lot 697.
We are very grateful to Dr. Sam Segal for his kind assistance in cataloguing this group, and for suggesting the names of the cultivars.