Story of the Herefordshire Pomona

The Story of the Herefordshire PomonaThe Herefordshire Pomona is a remarkable book. Launched in the late nineteenth century as no more than a collection of ‘coloured figures and descriptions of the most esteemed kinds of Apples and Pears,’ it is widely considered a landmark in British publishing.Despite its provincial origins – much of it was written by a country doctor and illustrated by his daughter and a virtually unknown artist – the Pomona has gained an international reputation and risen in value like a piece of fine art. Thanks to the 441 exceptional watercolours by its women illustrators, in effect this is what it is.Richly illustrated with photographs, manuscripts and plates, this book reveals the story behind this incredible project and celebrates the rich diversity of Herefordshire’s orchards.Contents: Introduction; 1 Beginnings. Rouen: 1884; 2 Paving the Way. Allensmore: 1652; 3 The Apple Man – Thomas Andrew Knight. Wormsley: 1759; 4 The new Pomona is launched. The Greyhound Inn, Hereford: 1811; 5 Invisible Women. Belmont and Acton Scott: 1811; 6 Plans Are Laid for a Herefordshire Pomona. The Free Library, Hereford 1876; 7 The Pomona Editor – Doctor Bull. Harley House: 1877; 8 Alice Blanche Ellis. St Martins Street 1879; 9 The Pomona Goes to Print. 4, High Town: 1885; 10 The State of the Herefordshire Orchards. Much Marcle: 1885; 11 A Ray of Hope. Putley Apple Day: 1996; 12 Endings. Breinton: 1885Bill Laws is the author of around 20 titles on subjects ranging from architecture and walking, to gardens, plants and the home front in wartime.Hardback (PLC) | 192 pages | 228 x 170 mm | Oct 2025 94 colour illus ISBN 9781910839782