Australian Philydrum lanuginosum. Woolly Philydrum. Half-Price Curtis engraving c1804.

by Edwards, Sydenham

Sydenham Edwards Australian botanical illustration of Philydrum lanuginosum, an aquatic plant commonly known as Woolly Frogs Mouth. The accompanying text page states "This is certainly not a plant of much beauty, but will recommend itself to the Botanist by the very singular construction of its flowers." Native of New Holland.

Original hand-coloured copperplate engraving by Francis Sansom after a drawing by the eminent Welsh botanical illustrator Sydenham Edwards for The Botanical Magazine; or Flower-Garden Displayed published in London circa 1803 by T. Curtis. 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.

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.

Paper at top left slightly stretched during printing, so price reduced. Size of page 230 x 150mm (9 x 6 inches).