The “Viceroy” is one of the most iconic tulips from the Tulipmania in the 17th century.
This tulip was renowned for its unique color pattern and was one of the most valuable and sought-after varieties of that time.
The Viceroy had flame-like stripes of various shades of purple on a lighter-colored background. This coloration is a result of a viral infection, giving the flower a distinct and appealing appearance.
The name Viceroy (meaning ‘deputy ruler) suits this prominent tulip well, as it’s a title used for a governor or someone who rules on behalf of a monarch. Just as a viceroy represents the king, the Viceroy tulip represented the pinnacle of tulip cultivation during the Tulipmania.
A famous sale often cited in historical documents describes a transaction where a single “Viceroy” tulip bulb was exchanged for goods worth fl 2,500 guilders. Converting historical currency to modern values is intricate; however, fl 2,500 guilders is approximately equivalent to €35,000 today.
The portrait of the “Viceroy”, from the ‘Ninetynine Tulips’ collection, serves as the inspiration for the tulip NFT collections. The theme of the 99 “Viceroy” NFT tulips is fittingly ‘viceroy’.
Ninetynine Tulips 