Early Nonpareil
Apple
Origin and History
The Early Nonpareil originated about 1780 in Norfolk, England. It was historically known under several names: Stagg's Nonpareil, New Nonpareil, Hick's Fancy, Summer Nonpareil, and Lacy's Nonpareil.
Downing also documents a variety called Early Nonpareil grown in Illinois, of unknown origin, noting that "It is barely possible that this may prove identical with the foregoing" English variety, leaving the relationship between the two varieties uncertain.
Tree Characteristics
Free upright grower, hardy, early, and abundant bearer.
Fruit
Form: Medium, roundish oblate.
Skin: Dull yellow with gray russet, and russet dots.
Flesh: Yellowish white, tender, juicy, brisk, rich, aromatic.
Season
October, November.
Illinois Variant
A variety bearing the same name was also grown in Illinois, of uncertain origin.
Form: Medium to large, roundish oblate, strongly ribbed.
Skin: Whitish, thinly shaded, striped and splashed with red, gray dots.
Flesh: White, sometimes stained next the skin, very tender, juicy, sprightly subacid.
Quality: Good.
Core: Large.
Season: September.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
USDA Nomenclature (1905)
From W.H. Ragan, Nomenclature of the Apple, USDA Bulletin No. 56
Possibly identical with: preceding
View original book sources (1)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Early Nonpareil.
Stagg's Nonpareil. New Nonpareil. Hick's Fancy. Summer Nonpareil. Lacy's Nonpareil.
Originated about 1780, in Norfolk, England. Tree a free upright grower, hardy, early, and abundant bearer.
Fruit medium, roundish oblate, dull yellow with gray russet, and russet dots. Flesh yellowish white, tender, juicy, brisk, rich, aromatic. October, November. (Lind.)
Early Nonpareil.
A variety grown in Illinois, the origin of which we cannot learn. It is barely possible that this may prove identical with the foregoing.
Fruit medium to large, roundish oblate, strongly ribbed, whitish, thinly shaded, striped and splashed with red gray dots. Flesh white, sometimes stained next the skin, very tender, juicy, sprightly subacid. Good. Core large. September.