William Curtis Alpine Soldanella hand-colored botanical antique print c1787.

by William Curtis

Fine 18th century hand-coloured engraving of Soldanella Alpina.

Beautiful original hand-coloured copperplate engraving on hand-made paper, drawn and engraved in 1787 for the first edition of The Botanical Magazine by William Curtis. Work for The Botanical Magazine began in 1786 by William Curtis “in response.. to solicitations for a work... (combining) Botany and Gardening”. William Curtis (1746-1799) was Praefectus Hortis (Horticultural Manager) of Chelsea Physic Garden. Curtis's Botanical Magazine illustrated botanical specimens from around the world. Still in publication today, nearly 240 years later, it is now Kew Magazine, and is the longest running illustrated periodical in the world.

This beautiful plate is in fine condition with tiny printers crease at centre left extremity. The page size is 238 x 140 cm (9 3/8 x 5 1/2 inches). To the plate mark measures 118 x 115mm (7 7/8 x 4 5/8 inches).