To coincide with Romania’s centennial anniversary, the talented creatives visited the country for two weeks to observe the wild flowers and diverse countryside that’s currently under threat from changes in farming practice. The focus was on the rare and precious flora of Transylvania.

The hand-bound, limited-edition book will be published in two volumes. But the book is a rare gem as only 150 copies will be made, making the tome a little out of most people’s price range – both volumes together will cost a whopping £12,950.

But the book is set to be a real treasure for fans of the royal family as Prince Charles will sign each book individually. There will also be a preface written by the royal.

A lot of work has gone into the book, taking seven years to complete. Its creation was led by Helen Allen FLS, artist and Principal of The Chelsea School of Botanical Art based at The Chelsea Physic Garden. Text within the volumes consists of expert commentary about the specific plants.

The beautiful hand-marbled cover of the book was created by artist Jemma Lewis, while the binding is made from dark green chieftain goat skin leather. The internal pages are made with specialist paper.

The book is published in association with The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Foundation and The Romanian Cultural Institute. Royalties from the sale will be donated to The Prince of Wales's Charitable Foundation.

An exhibition of the original watercolour paintings from the book will be shown at the Romanian Cultural Institute in Belgrave Square, London, from 21st May until 12th June 2018.

The Transylvania Florilegium (Volume I publication date 3rd July 2018/Volume II publication date May 2019).

 Link to this page

 Link to this page