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Potato Watercolors
From the Economic Botany Archives of Oakes Ames

There is almost no information available on these watercolors. There is no date, no artist signature, and no botanical names on any of the plates. It is believed that they were plates prepared for publication and each plate has a number written in pencil on the lower corner. They are on heavy stock paper that measures 37cm x 54cm. A few of the plates appear to be cut, with the flower removed and only the tuber remaining.
There are only two only clues available to us. First, there are a few Dutch words written in the bottom corner of a few plates. Also many of the plates have a partial watermark. The watermark is from Jan Kool & Company, Zaanland, Holland. Jan Aggesz Kool (1742-1816) produced the first Dutch wove paper, having learned the secrets of its manufacture in England. This watermark dates the paper, and probably the watercolors circa 1820.
Click here to access the HOLLIS catalog record.

Marked - No. [1]
Flower Color - lavender
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, white

Marked - N. 2
Flower Color - violet
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, white

Marked - No. 3
Flower Color - flower bud only, tips pink
Potato Color and Shape - globular, white

Marked - No. 4
Flower Color - flower bud only, tips white
Potato Color and Shape - ellipsoid, knob, white

Marked - No. 5
Flower Color - light blue
Potato Color and Shape - ellipsoid white

Marked - No. 6
Flower Color - blue
Potato Color and Shape - ellipsoid white

Marked - No. 7
Flower Color - violet
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, rose, white spots

Marked -No. [8]
Flower Color - violet
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, rose

Marked -No. 9
Flower Color - flower buds only
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, light, mottled rose

Marked -No. 10
Flower Color - light blue
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, white

Marked -No. 11
Flower Color - bright blue
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, white

Marked -No. 12
Flower Color - white
Potato Color and Shape - ellipoid, white, with microtuber

Marked -No. 13
Flower Color - bright blue
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, white

Marked -N. 14
Flower Color - rose-violet
Potato Color and Shape - elongate, rose

Marked -No. 15
Flower Color - blue
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, grey-brown

Marked -No. 16
Flower Color - ruffled white
Potato Color and Shape - globular, tan

Marked -No. 17 - Plate Missing

Marked -No. 18
Flower Color - violet
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, light clay

Marked -No. 19
Flower Color - rose
Potato Color and Shape - globular, red-rose

Marked - [No. 20]
Flower Color - white
Potato Color and Shape - elongate, knobby, clay

Marked -No. 21
Flower Color - white
Potato Color and Shape - elongate, multiple tubers, clay

Marked -No. 22
Flower Color - white with a hint of pink and grey
Potato Color and Shape - globular, brown-violet

Marked - No. 23
Flower Color - large, white
Potato Color and Shape - elongate, white

Marked -No. 24
Flower Color - rose-violet
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, pink

Marked -No. 25
Flower Color - lavendar grey
Potato Color and Shape - curved, pink

Marked - No. 26
Flower Color - lavender-rose
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, rose

Marked - No. 27
Flower Color - lavender-violet
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, white

Marked -No. 28
Flower Color - white
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, white

Marked -No. 29
Flower Color - white
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, white

Marked - No. 30
Flower Color - lavender-rose
Potato Color and Shape - small, rose

Marked -No. 31
Flower Color - lavendar-grey
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, clay-pink

Marked -No. 32
Flower Color - pinkish rose
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, clay-pink

Marked - No. 33
Flower Color - lavender-white
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, rose-brown - 3 potatoes

Marked -No. 34
Flower Color - blue
Potato Color and Shape - elongate, small, knobby

Marked -No. 35
Flower Color - bright blue
Potato Color and Shape - elongate, small, knobby

Marked - No. 36
Flower Color - blue-lavender
Potato Color and Shape - ellipsoid, pink

Marked - No. 37
Flower Color - no flower or buds
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, white

Marked - No. 38, also labelled "Letter C."
Flower Color - blue
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, purple-brown

Marked - No. 39, also labelled "Letter E."
Flower Color - white
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, white

Marked - No. 40, also labelled "Letter D."
Flower Color - lavender-rose
Potato Color and Shape - sperical white

Marked -No. 41
Flower Color - light blue
Potato Color and Shape - ellipsoid, large, white

Marked -No. 42
Flower Color - purple
Potato Color and Shape - elongate, white

Marked - No. 43
Flower Color - white
Potato Color and Shape - oblong, white [wit bloem]

Marked - No. 44
Flower Color - pale blue-violet
Potato Color and Shape - elongate, white

Marked -No. 45
Flower Color - purple
Potato Color and Shape - square, rough, white

Marked -No. 46
Flower Color - lavender
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, purple

Marked - No. 47
Flower Color - violet-rose
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, white

Marked - No. 48
Flower Color - light blue
Potato Color and Shape - double, contorted, clay

Marked - No. 49
Flower Color - white-rose
Potato Color and Shape - globular, white

Marked -No. 50
Flower Color - lavender
Potato Color and Shape - elongate, pink

Marked -No. 51
Flower Color - whitish lavender
Potato Color and Shape - globular, purple

Marked - No. 52
Flower Color - white
Potato Color and Shape - elongate, curved, lavender

Marked - No. 53
Flower Color - purple
Potato Color and Shape - oblong, white

Marked -No. 54
Flower Color - purple
Potato Color and Shape - oblong, bicolor:purple/gray

Marked - No. 55
Flower Color - rose-lavender
Potato Color and Shape - elongate, pink

Marked - No. 56
Flower Color - purple
Potato Color and Shape - triangular, pink

Marked -No. 57
Flower Color - large, blue
Potato Color and Shape - globular, tan-pink

Marked -No. 58
Flower Color - blue-rose
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, tan

Marked - No. 59
Flower Color - purple
Potato Color and Shape - barrel-shaped with microtubers, flesh-gray

Marked - No. 60
Flower Color - purple
Potato Color and Shape - elipsoid, pink

Marked -No. 61
Flower Color - white
Potato Color and Shape - elongate, small, hooked, pink

Marked - No. 62
Flower Color - rose-violet
Potato Color and Shape - spherical, knobby, white

Marked - No. 63
Flower Color - violet
Potato Color and Shape - spherical with knob, brown

Marked -No. 64 - Plate cropped
Only tuber image remains. Tuber is globular, tan

Marked - No. 65 - Plate cropped
Only tuber image remains. Tuber is spherical, dusty rose

Marked - No. 66
Flower Color - light rose
Potato Color and Shape - ellipisoid, white

Marked - No. 67 - Plate cropped
Only tuber image remains. Tuber is globular, tan

Marked - No. 68 - Plate cropped
Only tuber image remains. Tuber is globular, purple

Marked - No. 69 - Plate cropped
Only tuber image remains. Tuber is ellipsoid, rose

Marked - No. 70 - Plate cropped
Only tuber image remains. Tuber is ellipsoid, rose

Marked - No. 71 - Plate cropped
Only tuber image remains. Tuber is spherical, purple

Marked - No. 72 - Plate cropped
Only tuber image remains. Tuber is globular, rose

Marked - No. 73
Flower Color - white
Potato Color and Shape - large cluster, white

Marked - No. 74 - Plate cropped
Only tuber image remains. Tuber is small, purple

Marked - No. 75 - Plate cropped
Only tuber image remains. Tuber is globular, tan

Marked - No. 76
Flower Color - violet
Potato Color and Shape - curved, white

Marked - No. 77
Flower Color - blue
Potato Color and Shape - square, violet

Marked - No. 78
Flower Color - light blue
Potato Color and Shape - spherical with knob, white

Marked - No. 79 - Plate cropped
Only tuber image remains. Tuber is spherical, rose

Marked - No. 80
Flower Color - blue-lavender
Potato Color and Shape - elongate, 2 tubers, purple-pink

Marked - No. 81 - Plate cropped
Only tuber image remains. Tuber is elongated, rose

Marked - No. 82 - Plate cropped
Only tuber image remains. Tuber is spherical, rose

Marked - No. 83
Flower Color - rose-violet
Potato Color and Shape - very elongate, pink

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22 Divinity Avenue • Cambridge, MA 02138
phone 617.495.2366 • fax 617.495.8654
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Send comments, corrections, or updates to: ldecesare@oeb.harvard.edu
Last updated January 2011
Copyright 2011 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College

HUH | Arnold Arboretum | OEB | CBHL

Contact Us \| Harvard University Herbaria \| HOLLIS

On-Line Exhibits \| Archives Collections \| Library Collections \| Archives Policies \| Material Duplication Information
Potato Watercolors From the Economic Botany Archives of Oakes Ames
There is almost no information available on these watercolors. There is no date, no artist signature, and no botanical names on any of the plates. It is believed that they were plates prepared for publication and each plate has a number written in pencil on the lower corner. They are on heavy stock paper that measures 37cm x 54cm. A few of the plates appear to be cut, with the flower removed and only the tuber remaining. There are only two only clues available to us. First, there are a few Dutch words written in the bottom corner of a few plates. Also many of the plates have a partial watermark. The watermark is from Jan Kool & Company, Zaanland, Holland. Jan Aggesz Kool (1742-1816) produced the first Dutch wove paper, having learned the secrets of its manufacture in England. This watermark dates the paper, and probably the watercolors circa 1820. Click here to access the HOLLIS catalog record.
Marked - No. [1] Flower Color - lavender Potato Color and Shape - spherical, white Marked - N. 2 Flower Color - violet Potato Color and Shape - spherical, white Marked - No. 3 Flower Color - flower bud only, tips pink Potato Color and Shape - globular, white Marked - No. 4 Flower Color - flower bud only, tips white Potato Color and Shape - ellipsoid, knob, white Marked - No. 5 Flower Color - light blue Potato Color and Shape - ellipsoid white		Marked - No. 6 Flower Color - blue Potato Color and Shape - ellipsoid white Marked - No. 7 Flower Color - violet Potato Color and Shape - spherical, rose, white spots Marked -No. [8] Flower Color - violet Potato Color and Shape - spherical, rose Marked -No. 9 Flower Color - flower buds only Potato Color and Shape - spherical, light, mottled rose Marked -No. 10 Flower Color - light blue Potato Color and Shape - spherical, white

Marked -No. 11 Flower Color - bright blue Potato Color and Shape - spherical, white Marked -No. 12 Flower Color - white Potato Color and Shape - ellipoid, white, with microtuber Marked -No. 13 Flower Color - bright blue Potato Color and Shape - spherical, white Marked -N. 14 Flower Color - rose-violet Potato Color and Shape - elongate, rose Marked -No. 15 Flower Color - blue Potato Color and Shape - spherical, grey-brown Marked -No. 16 Flower Color - ruffled white Potato Color and Shape - globular, tan Marked -No. 17 - Plate Missing Marked -No. 18 Flower Color - violet Potato Color and Shape - spherical, light clay Marked -No. 19 Flower Color - rose Potato Color and Shape - globular, red-rose Marked - [No. 20] Flower Color - white Potato Color and Shape - elongate, knobby, clay		Marked -No. 21 Flower Color - white Potato Color and Shape - elongate, multiple tubers, clay Marked -No. 22 Flower Color - white with a hint of pink and grey Potato Color and Shape - globular, brown-violet Marked - No. 23 Flower Color - large, white Potato Color and Shape - elongate, white Marked -No. 24 Flower Color - rose-violet Potato Color and Shape - spherical, pink Marked -No. 25 Flower Color - lavendar grey Potato Color and Shape - curved, pink Marked - No. 26 Flower Color - lavender-rose Potato Color and Shape - spherical, rose Marked - No. 27 Flower Color - lavender-violet Potato Color and Shape - spherical, white Marked -No. 28 Flower Color - white Potato Color and Shape - spherical, white Marked -No. 29 Flower Color - white Potato Color and Shape - spherical, white Marked - No. 30 Flower Color - lavender-rose Potato Color and Shape - small, rose

Marked -No. 31 Flower Color - lavendar-grey Potato Color and Shape - spherical, clay-pink Marked -No. 32 Flower Color - pinkish rose Potato Color and Shape - spherical, clay-pink Marked - No. 33 Flower Color - lavender-white Potato Color and Shape - spherical, rose-brown - 3 potatoes Marked -No. 34 Flower Color - blue Potato Color and Shape - elongate, small, knobby Marked -No. 35 Flower Color - bright blue Potato Color and Shape - elongate, small, knobby Marked - No. 36 Flower Color - blue-lavender Potato Color and Shape - ellipsoid, pink Marked - No. 37 Flower Color - no flower or buds Potato Color and Shape - spherical, white Marked - No. 38, also labelled "Letter C." Flower Color - blue Potato Color and Shape - spherical, purple-brown Marked - No. 39, also labelled "Letter E." Flower Color - white Potato Color and Shape - spherical, white Marked - No. 40, also labelled "Letter D." Flower Color - lavender-rose Potato Color and Shape - sperical white		Marked -No. 41 Flower Color - light blue Potato Color and Shape - ellipsoid, large, white Marked -No. 42 Flower Color - purple Potato Color and Shape - elongate, white Marked - No. 43 Flower Color - white Potato Color and Shape - oblong, white [wit bloem] Marked - No. 44 Flower Color - pale blue-violet Potato Color and Shape - elongate, white Marked -No. 45 Flower Color - purple Potato Color and Shape - square, rough, white Marked -No. 46 Flower Color - lavender Potato Color and Shape - spherical, purple Marked - No. 47 Flower Color - violet-rose Potato Color and Shape - spherical, white Marked - No. 48 Flower Color - light blue Potato Color and Shape - double, contorted, clay Marked - No. 49 Flower Color - white-rose Potato Color and Shape - globular, white Marked -No. 50 Flower Color - lavender Potato Color and Shape - elongate, pink

Marked -No. 51 Flower Color - whitish lavender Potato Color and Shape - globular, purple Marked - No. 52 Flower Color - white Potato Color and Shape - elongate, curved, lavender Marked - No. 53 Flower Color - purple Potato Color and Shape - oblong, white Marked -No. 54 Flower Color - purple Potato Color and Shape - oblong, bicolor:purple/gray Marked - No. 55 Flower Color - rose-lavender Potato Color and Shape - elongate, pink Marked - No. 56 Flower Color - purple Potato Color and Shape - triangular, pink Marked -No. 57 Flower Color - large, blue Potato Color and Shape - globular, tan-pink Marked -No. 58 Flower Color - blue-rose Potato Color and Shape - spherical, tan Marked - No. 59 Flower Color - purple Potato Color and Shape - barrel-shaped with microtubers, flesh-gray Marked - No. 60 Flower Color - purple Potato Color and Shape - elipsoid, pink Marked -No. 61 Flower Color - white Potato Color and Shape - elongate, small, hooked, pink Marked - No. 62 Flower Color - rose-violet Potato Color and Shape - spherical, knobby, white Marked - No. 63 Flower Color - violet Potato Color and Shape - spherical with knob, brown Marked -No. 64 - Plate cropped Only tuber image remains. Tuber is globular, tan Marked - No. 65 - Plate cropped Only tuber image remains. Tuber is spherical, dusty rose Marked - No. 66 Flower Color - light rose Potato Color and Shape - ellipisoid, white		Marked - No. 67 - Plate cropped Only tuber image remains. Tuber is globular, tan Marked - No. 68 - Plate cropped Only tuber image remains. Tuber is globular, purple Marked - No. 69 - Plate cropped Only tuber image remains. Tuber is ellipsoid, rose Marked - No. 70 - Plate cropped Only tuber image remains. Tuber is ellipsoid, rose Marked - No. 71 - Plate cropped Only tuber image remains. Tuber is spherical, purple Marked - No. 72 - Plate cropped Only tuber image remains. Tuber is globular, rose Marked - No. 73 Flower Color - white Potato Color and Shape - large cluster, white Marked - No. 74 - Plate cropped Only tuber image remains. Tuber is small, purple Marked - No. 75 - Plate cropped Only tuber image remains. Tuber is globular, tan Marked - No. 76 Flower Color - violet Potato Color and Shape - curved, white Marked - No. 77 Flower Color - blue Potato Color and Shape - square, violet Marked - No. 78 Flower Color - light blue Potato Color and Shape - spherical with knob, white Marked - No. 79 - Plate cropped Only tuber image remains. Tuber is spherical, rose Marked - No. 80 Flower Color - blue-lavender Potato Color and Shape - elongate, 2 tubers, purple-pink Marked - No. 81 - Plate cropped Only tuber image remains. Tuber is elongated, rose Marked - No. 82 - Plate cropped Only tuber image remains. Tuber is spherical, rose Marked - No. 83 Flower Color - rose-violet Potato Color and Shape - very elongate, pink
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Botany Libraries • Harvard University 22 Divinity Avenue • Cambridge, MA 02138 phone 617.495.2366 • fax 617.495.8654 botref@oeb.harvard.edu Send comments, corrections, or updates to: ldecesare@oeb.harvard.edu Last updated January 2011 Copyright 2011 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College
HUH \| Arnold Arboretum \| OEB \| CBHL