Rare 1801 Curtis Hand-Color Engraving No. 523 IXIA FISTULOSA, HOLLOW-LEAVED IXIA

Rare 1801 Hand-Colored Copperplate Engraving from: William Curtis’ The Botanical Magazine or Flower-Garden Displayed : [No. 523] IXIA FISTULOSA. HOLLOW-LEAVED IXIA. From early volumes of “The Botanical Magazine; or Flower-Garden Displayed” comes this original, copperplate engraving, a rare & sought-after early plate from the scarce early volumes. This plate is one of the classics of the Curtis volumes & likely a First Edition print, which are generally very rare. Appears to be on the original wove paper. This print seems to have become very scarce in the market, I’m finding no other antique originals available. The publication: The “Botanical Magazine” was first published in 1787 by William Curtis (1746-1799). After William Curtis passed, the magazine was published by his brother, Thomas Curtis. Later, Samuel Curtis (a son-in-law of William Curtis) became proprietor from 1801 to 1845. The prints in the first volumes were copper plates colored by hand. Some of the later prints were lithographs. Some of the distinguished artists were Sydenham Edwards, John Curtis, William Jackson Hooker, W.H. Fitch, William Graves and Matilda Smith. These prints have a universal beauty and are a lasting documentary contribution to botanical studies. The Artists: This plate was engraved & hand-colored after a painting by Sydenham Edwards & is signed by ‘S. Edwards del.’ (Sydenham Teak Edwards, 1768 – 1819) as well as the engraver, ‘F. Sansom Sc.’ (Francis Sansom, active 1785-1799). The drawing & coloring are quite stunning. It’s a beautiful plate, full of the passion that the early flower painters, botanists & gardeners had for these amazing flowers, many of which were discovered in the pristine reaches of the ever-expanding British Empire & by intrepid explorers of the time. These gorgeously drawn, engraved & water-colored original prints were presented on their page with consistently balanced, beautiful compositions. Every part of these prints was made by hand: Hand drawn & engraved on Copper which was hand-mined, smelted & rolled, printed onto handmade cotton rag paper, inked & colored with hand-ground pigments individually by hand, & they were usually hand sewn into handmade leather-bound books. Condition: Appears to be in good, clean condition for a centuries-old engraving with some typical authentic character from age. Faint crease or two, perhaps from its life as a bookplate. The hand-coloring appears to remain sharp & brilliant as the day it was painted. These prints are very old & may have minor imperfections expected with age, such as some typical age-toning of the paper, oxidation of the old original watercolors, spots, text-offsetting, artifacts from having been bound into a book, etc. Please examine the photos & details carefully. Text Page(s): This one comes with its original text page. About this gorgeous flower: I think this is actually a Micranthus, a genus of flowering plants in the family Iridaceae. The entire genus is endemic to Cape Province in South Africa. This one is likely Micranthus tubulosus or Hollowleaf Combflower. Size: 5 1/2 x 9″ inches approximately. Shipping: Multiple prints combine into one USPS Flat-Rate envelope. If you’d like to combine & need more time to choose, please send a message & we’ll do our best to oblige. If you’re assessed multiple shipping for one combined package, we’ll endeavor to refund any overage asap. Thanks for Visiting!