William Curtis Geranium Radula, Rasp-leaved Geranium antique print c1789. or

by William Curtis

William Curtis Botanical Magazine first edition hand-coloured engraving.

Original hand-coloured copperplate engraving c1789 for William Curtis's The Botanical Magazine; or Flower-Garden Displayed. Illustrations for The Botanical Magazine have always been revered - for their scientific accuracy as well as their beauty.

In 1787 when he was Praefectus Hortis (Horticultural Manager) of Chelsea Physic Garden in London, William Curtis (1746-1799) began publication of The Botanical Magazine “in response.. to solicitations for a work... (combining) Botany and Gardening”. Curtis resigned from Chelsea Physic Garden to open his own botanic garden at nearby Lambeth Marsh, and within a year had 6,000 different botanical specimens. Illustrating botanical specimens sent from around the world, this periodical has been published continuously for nearly 240 years years. It is now known as Kew Magazine.

Exquisitely engraved and hand-coloured, this page is in fine condition considering its age. It has the faintest bent at top left. Descriptive test page available. Page size is approximately 235 x 140mm (9 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches).