The names of Dodoens, De l’Ecluse and De l’Obel appear in the introductory text written in 1581 by Christoffer Plantin, in which he addresses Severinus Gobelius, doctor of the king of Denmark, who initiated the publication. This letter suggests that Christopher Plantin himself was in fact the compilator of the album, although in literature the album has often been attributed to Mathias de l'Obel. According to Plantin's grandchildren, the latter may have had a major part in the selection of the material for the album. The origins of the xylographic material are various. Plantin had various artists, draftsmen and engravers, employed for his botanical editions, and may have bought woodcuts also elsewhere. Nearly each page in the album contains the illustrations of two different plants.
