Imitation of Life

This illustrated 384-page book from the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide features 192 apples and 129 pears – presented as an album of portraits – of the many fruits suggested for cultivation in South Australia during the 1860’s – 1890’s. Stunning photography captures the life-like detail of this intriguing papier-mâché model collection, made by Heinrich Arnoldi & Co. Gotha, Germany (856-1899).
Adelaide’s collection is one of the largest collections to survive and the only one known to exist outside of Europe. After spending 60 years in storage the collection has been reinstated to the permanent display of the Museum of Economic Botany – one of Adelaide’s lesser known treasures.