William Curtis (1746-1799) – renowned English botanist, pharmacist and entomologist
The Botanical Magazine or Flower-Garden displayed
Volumes 1-10 in first edition, all editions released to date in 10 original bindings
Self-published by Curtis in London, 1787-96
360 coppers in old colouring by hand with splendid illustration of plants
Bound in ten original, splendid gilt-tooled leather bindings
Dimension of pretty octave volumes: 23 x 14.5 cm, complete width of all ten volumes: 16.5 cm
Complete and remarkably well-preserved copy
The extremely rare first years of the finest and oldest botanical magazine, still in existence today
Object is regular taxed. The 7% VAT of the hammer price will be taken off the bill.

The 'Botanical Magazine' or 'Flower-Garden Displayed' can well be called the most beautiful illustrated garden magazine ever. It has been published since 1787 and thus is the oldest botanical journal. These volumes cover the first ten years, which Curtis still published himself. So to speak, these volume are the cradle of the magazine that is still in existence today. Every entry of a plant species is accompanied by a botanical text and an iconographic and decorative illustration. What earned the 'Botanical Magazine' particular renown was the fact that botanic illustrations were made by acclaimed graphic artist. The first issue was published by William Curtis in 1787 as an illustrated garden- and botany journal. All illustrations in these early editions are hand-coloured coppers engravings, mostly made by Sydenham Edwards and James Sowerby. Some 30 employees were in charge of the laborious colouring. When both production costs and demand increased, the results often showed great discrepancies in terms of quality. Through the later use of machines the illustrations were standardized, however, the richness in detail of the hand-coloured plates remained unmatched.

Illustration

360 copper plates with plant illustrations, of which 359 in excellent old colouring. Dimensions of leaves: 22.5 x 13.3 cm. Text area: 18 x 10.5 cm. Copper plates: 20 x 12 cm.

Collation

360 plates with describing texts and index. The work is complete.

Condition

Excellent condition, definitely worthwhile collecting, with original ageing patina. Paper just slightly browned in places. Some isolated stains, first and last leaf somewhat glue stained. Text with some offsetting from images in places. Plate 105 with offsetting from text text. No tears or defective spots.

Binding

This complete edition is bound in ten original, appealing, uniform, marbled calfskin bindings. With gilt-tooled floral border all the way round, gilt edges and gilt-tooled label on spine. In very good condition. Boards slightly scraped in places. Spine lavishly restored. Five raised bands. Complete dimensions of all volumes: 23 x 14.5 x 16.5 cm.

William Curtis (1746-1799)

The official botanic author abbreviation of the renowned English botanist, pharmacist and entomologist William Curtis, is 'Curtis'. He was director of the Chelsea Physic Garden and founded botanic gardens in Bermondsey in 1771, as well as in Lambeth and Brompton in 1789. In 1787 Curtis started the 'Botanical Magazine' and remained its publisher up until his death.

References

Nissen, BBI 2350; Stafleu-C. 1290; Henrey III, 472.

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