White Hibiscus Trionum botanical engraving. W. Curtis c1792

by Curtis, William

William Curtis antique print of Hibiscus Trionum, or Bladder Hibiscus, c1792.

This hand-coloured copperplate engraving by Francis Sansom is from the second edition of Curtis's Botanical Magazine. Publication of The Botanical Magazine was begun in 1787 by William Curtis (1746-1799) Praefectus Hortis (Horticultural Manager) of Chelsea Physic Garden in London, “in response.. to solicitations for a work... (combining) Botany and Gardening”. Curtis's Botanical Magazine illustrated botanical specimens from around the world. It has been published continuously for 230 years.. now published as The Kew Magazine.

Illustrations for The Botanical Magazine have always been revered for their scientific accuracy as well as for their beauty. This is a lovely William Curtis botanical of a white flower, exquisitely engraved on hand-made paper.

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