William Curtis Fire Lily, hand-coloured botanical engraving No.271 c1794

by Curtis, William

William Curtis antique print of Cyrtanthus Angustifolius, Narrow-leaved Cyrtanthus or Fire Lily c1794.

This is a lovely hand-coloured copperplate engraving on hand-made paper. It was the third published in Curtis's Botanical Magazine. Publication of "The Botanical Magazine" was begun in 1787 by William Curtis (1746-1799) Praefectus Hortis (Horticultural Manager) of Chelsea Physic Garden in London, “in response.. to solicitations for a work... (combining) Botany and Gardening”. Curtis's Botanical Magazine illustrated botanical specimens from around the world. It has been published continuously for 230 years.. now as “The Kew Magazine”.
Illustrations for "The Botanical Magazine" have been revered for their scientific accuracy, and the natural pigments used in the early engravings have survived over two hundred years, ensuring their beauty endures today.

This is an exquisite engraving but the paper has a short split half-way down the left edge and slight foxing - hence the price. It is a great opportunity to obtain a very old (over 222 years) William Curtis engraving at a low price.

Size of page 235 x 140mm (9 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches).