William Curtis Agrostemma Coronaria, Rose Cockle or Campion c1787.

by Curtis, William

William Curtis hand-coloured antique print of Rose Cockle or Campion.

Original hand-coloured copperplate engraving, drawn and engraved by James Sowerby c1789, for William Curtis's first edition of 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”. Illustrating botanical specimens from around the world, this publication has been published continuously for over 230 years. It is now known as “The Kew Magazine”.

Exquisitely engraved and hand-coloured, this page has slight imperfections, as is to be expected of an engraving 230 years old.

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