Australian Hakea Florida. Exquisitely detailed hand-coloured engraving c1825.

by Curtis, Samuel

Antique print of Australian Hakea florida (many-flowered Hakea).

Gorgeous three-dimensional engraving of Australian native shrub with flower enlargement below. "This little shrub was first discovered by Mr. Robert Brown, in the Southern coast of New Holland, and was introduced to the Kew Gardens, in 1803.." 

Original hand-coloured steel engraving by Weddell after a drawing by John Curtis for The Botanical Magazine; or Flower-Garden Displayed, published in Lonton c1825 by Samuel Curtis. Illustrations for The Botanical Magazine have always been revered for their scientific accuracy as well as their beauty.

Previously horticultural director and demonstrator at Chelsea Physic Garden in London, apothecary-horticulturist William Curtis (1746-1799) established his own botanic garden at Lambeth in London and began publishing The Botanical Magazine in 1787, “in response.. to solicitations for a work... (combining) Botany and Gardening”. Now The Kew Magazine (published at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew since 1841), and still illustrating botanical specimens received in London from around the world, this is the world's oldest continuously published illustrated magazine.

Size of page 230 x 150mm (9 x 6 inches). This lovely little engraving is mounted with antique white ragmat conservation board and covered with cellophane for presentation and protection until framed. Mount window measures 215 x 125mm (8 x 5 inches). External frame window size is 355 x 275mm (14 x 10 7/8 inches).