William Curtis began publication of the Botanical
Magazine in February 1787 and continued almost without
interruption for 160 years. After Curtis edited the
first 13 volumes, the publication continued under the
editors: John Simms (1800-1826), William Jackson Hooker
(1827-1865) and Joseph Dalton Hooker (1865-1904). The
images were engraved and hand-coloured by many artists
including Sydenham Edwards, William Graves, James
Sowerby, John Curtis, William Jackson Hooker, W.H.
Fitch, Matilda Smith, Lillian Snelling and Stella Rose
Craig. The plates are known for their fine detail and
delicate hand coloring. The prints are all copper
engravings to Volume 70 & then stone or zinc lithography
until the introduction of color printing in 1948. It is
the longest running botanical magazine and was entirely
hand colored until 1948. References: Blunt (1994) pp 211
- 217, Great Flower Books pp 156 - 157, Nissen BPI 2350,
Staflue 1290.
These Curtis prints are particularly
prized for their lavish, beautifully hand colored large
illustrations principally by Sydenham Teak Edwards, James Sowerby and William
Kilburn. Even now, after all this time of
living with Curtis prints, we are still left in awe by
their beauty. Each single measures approximately 5 1/2
inches wide by 9 inches long. Prints are accompanied by
the relevant original descriptive text.
The condition of these prints is remarkable for a
work that is over 200 years old, with strong plate marks
and dates. There is
little or no foxing, with characteristic good plate
marks on wove paper that is a creamy in color.
The photos are very accurate, so please review
carefully. All our prints are authentic hand colored
antique prints, and the Curtis are about 200 years old &
in excellent condition.