Twelve beautiful original photographic albumen prints taken in the Hortus Botanicus of Leiden University, the first botanical garden in the Northern Netherlands, founded in 1590. The locations of many of the photographs are still recognizable, including most of the buildings, "the bust near the bee-hives" and the Witte Singel (the canal next to the garden). Jan Goedeljee (1824-1905) began as bookbinder in Leiden but from 1865 on he preferred to be known as photographer. He had a studio on the Hogewoerd and already in 1866 he published this collection of 12 photographic albumen prints. Specializing also in portrait photography, including portraits of members of the Royal family, he called himself "Court photographer".
With an owners inscription of Carsten H. Witte on the verso of the fly-leaf. Carsten Witte (1802-1881) was born in Schleswig Holstein and moved to Rotterdam in 1820 where he became the first "hortulanus" (conservator of the botanic gardens) in that city. Front cover soiled, gilding of title partly damaged, corners bumped and with library label. Some foxing in paperboards; most of the tissues - some lacking - frayed; some of the photographs are slightly faded, apparently as issued. Otherwise in good condition.