Flora Londinensis, Alopecurus geniculatus, Floating Fox-tail Grass engraving c1820.

by Flora Londinensis

Floating Foxtail Grass, antique print in fine condition.

Original copperplate engraving with contemporary colour, for Flora Londinensis, containing a history of the plants indigenous to Great Britain, illustrated by figures of the natural size - published in London between 1817 and 1828 by George Graves F.L.S. and eminent English botanist (Sir) William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865)... continuing the work begun by William Curtis (1746-1799). Graves and Hooker used the original engraved plates for William Curtis, and re-engraved those that had been reduced smaller than life-size (due to financial constraints of Curtis). As each specimen was engraved as close to life-size as possible, the size of the engraving platemark of each printed page varied in size.

While he was Praefectus Hortis (Horticultural Manager) of Chelsea Physic Garden in London, William Curtis (1746-1799) began publishing in 'parts' life-size hand-coloured copperplate engravings of all plants growing wild in the vicinity of London. Curtis left the Chelsea Physic Garden and also bought land to establish his own botanic gardens at Lambeth Marsh. Within a year he had acquired 6,000 plant species. Although Curtis was praised for his efforts with his large Flora Londinensis, he ran out of funds.

With accompanying descriptive text. Tiny corner tear. Page size is approximately 285 x 430mm (11 1/4 x 17 inches)