William Curtis Fire Lily, hand-coloured botanical engraving c1794

by William Curtis

Cyrtanthus Angustifolius, Narrow-leaved Cyrtanthus, William Curtis antique print.

Fine hand-coloured copperplate engraving on hand-made paper for Curtis's Botanical Magazine, begun by William Curtis in 1787 “in response.. to solicitations for a work... (combining) Botany and Gardening”, it was compiled and edited by William Curtis (1746-1799) while he was Praefectus Hortis (Horticultural Manager) of Chelsea Physic Garden in London. Botanical specimens from around the world, that were cultivated in London, were superbly illustrated and described. Published continuously for nearly 240 years, it is now called Kew Magazine.

Illustrations for The Botanical Magazine have always been revered for their scientific accuracy, and the natural pigments used in the early engravings have survived the passage of time, ensuring their beauty endures today.

This is an exquisite engraving but the paper has a short conservation-tape repaired split half-way down the left edge and slight foxing - hence the price. It is a great opportunity to obtain a very old original William Curtis engraving at a low price.

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