The Cactus Tribe. Colourful Cacti, with mountains behind. c1877

by Rhind, William

Colourful Cactus antique print. Wonderful cacti in landscape.

Fine original steel engraving by T.G. Flowers after Walter Hood Fitch, for A History of the Vegetable Kingdom... a work on the practical applications of botany by William Rhind (1797-1874), published c1877 (with beautiful later hand-colour). Though rarely seen today, Rhind's beautifully illustrated interesting botanical study was first published in 1841 by Blackie & Son, Glasgow, Edinburgh & London. It was expanded and reissued several times up until 1877.

William Rhind set up his medical practice and sold medicines in Elgin Scotland. More interested in studying and writing about the natural sciences, particularly botany, zoology and geology, Rhind moved to Edinburgh for better research facilities. He spent nearly forty years writing about the natural sciences and submitted many articles for publication in scientific journals. In 1854 Rhind was lecturing on botany in the medical faculty of Marischal College where he had obtained his medical degree.

Rhind's series of illustrations have been popular antique prints, and usually have extremity soiling. This one also has a small cellotape mark. The age marks will not show when framed. It is the best collection of cacti I have seen on an antique print. 
Page size 17 x 25cm (6 3/4 x 9 7/8 inches). Engraving size is 180 x 115mm (approximately 7 x 4.5 inches).