Bring the warm, sun-kissed heritage of early 20th-century Southern California agriculture into your home with this exceptional vintage botanical art print. Originally hand-painted in April 1917 by the celebrated USDA scientific illustrator Amanda Almira Newton, this exquisite watercolor study documents a longitudinal section of the historic “Dickey A” avocado variety (Persea americana), sourced directly from the estate of Edward Dickey in Hollywood, California.

Featuring a perfectly halved avocado with a rich, glossy emerald skin, creamy golden-yellow flesh, and a magnificent, textured mahogany seed pit, this meticulously restored print preserves the artist’s original handwritten archival details. Set against a naturally warm, minimalist ivory backdrop, this piece achieves a tranquil, organic aesthetic that effortlessly elevates modern walls with a touch of classic agricultural history.

The History: Amanda Almira Newton (c. 1860–1943) was one of the most prominent, prolific, and highly respected artists within the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Division of Pomology during the golden age of American botanical illustration. Working in the early 20th century, a period when color photography was not yet a viable medium for recording scientific details, Newton and her female contemporaries meticulously documented newly introduced crop varieties to aid American farmers. Painted on April 26, 1917, this illustration depicts the ‘Dickey A’ avocado—a seedling variety developed on the Hollywood property of Edward Dickey and officially logged under USDA specimen number 92947. Today, Newton’s original masterworks are preserved in the National Agricultural Library, serving as a national treasure of botanical heritage.

The Aesthetic: A stunning display of early 20th-century realism, this composition uses crisp, focused minimalism to highlight the rich, buttery textures of the tropical fruit. Newton masterfully renders the transition of the avocado’s flesh, grading seamlessly from a vibrant lime-green edge into a soft, warm canary-yellow interior. The massive, teardrop-shaped seed takes center stage, painted with intricate layers of chestnut, ochre, and chocolate brown to give it a realistic, woody sheen. Grounded by authentic, elegant archival cursive displaying historical registration numbers, dates, and the Hollywood origin, this high-contrast print adds an effortless layer of academic and naturalistic charm to any space.

It is an ideal statement piece for:

Culinary enthusiasts, home chefs, plant lovers, tropical gardeners, and collectors of vintage scientific diagrams and natural history watercolors.
Bright modern kitchens, sunny dining rooms, breakfast nooks, cafes, or texturally rich gallery walls.
Modern farmhouse, biophilic, mid-century modern, Japandi, or transitional interior design styles that value clean spaces paired with warm, organic focal points.

Product Details

Artist: Amanda Almira Newton (A. A. Newton) – Vintage USDA Pomological Illustrator

Title: Dickey A. Avocado (Persea americana Study)

Subject: Antique California Avocado Watercolor and Archival USDA Notation

Original Date: April 26, 1917

Style: Early 20th-Century Scientific Watercolor / Vintage Botanical Fine Art

Museum-Quality Vintage Prints

Our vintage posters are made to order using premium Giclée printing techniques. Every piece is printed on thick, heavyweight fine art paper (200gsm) with a smooth, completely matte finish.

We specifically source an acid-free, natural-toned paper that perfectly recreates the warmth and authentic character of original mid-century lithographs. Unlike standard glossy posters, our premium matte finish ensures there is zero glare when your artwork is framed behind glass, resulting in a rich, museum-quality display. Combined with long-lasting, UV-resistant pigment inks, your print is designed to remain vibrant for generations.