While our images are electronically watermarked, the antique prints themselves are not.

Acrid Lobelia FL21 $49
Each print measures approximately 12 inches by 19 3/4 inches

We are honoured to offer a selection of superb hand colored folio engravings from a recently acquired partial set of original second edition Flora Londinensis by William Curtis. These prints are increasingly rare in any edition. 

This was the expanded edition published in 1817 & enlarged by Hooker & Graves.  The difference lies in the paper, with this edition being on a much whiter wove paper than the grayish chain lined paper of the first.  It is superbly decorative & we are offering a great selection of the finest prints from the series.

This comprehensive & elegant work was Curtis’ masterpiece and the first comprehensive study of the flora of England. The artists included the inimitable James Sowerby, Sydenham Teak Edwards, Francis Sansom & William Kilburn, all in their salad days, when the sap ran strong & creative! 

Born in Alton in 1746, William Curtis early on left an apprenticeship at an apothecary to pursue the passion which unites us all, the love of plants. Out of this love came the Flora Londinensis, which, though highly acclaimed by his fellow naturalists, was not a financial success. Curtis had labored on this work for over ten years, selling it out of his own home. He finally came to the understanding that a work of showy & bright exotic plants would be more likely to succeed with the general public than images of the wayside & woodland plants of England. Thus was born, in 1787, the Botanical Magazine, which Curtis called his “pudding” as it earned him sustenance, rather than the unremunerative praise of the Flora Londinensis. We have faith that time has allowed us to developed a much greater appreciation of this seminal work. 

(References: Sotheby’s 1987 Catalog, pg. 140 & Blunt, The Art of Botanical Illustration, 1950, pg. 184-185)

Each print is in excellent condition with no foxing or text offset except where noted, strong plate marks & intricate detail & superb intense coloring. The wove paper is a soft white,  with a number of plates showing watermarks. Each large folio print measures approximately 12 inches by 19 3/4 inches, and is accompanied by the original descriptive text & a copy of the title page. These prints are in excellent condition for their age of nearly a quarter of a millennium! If only paper could talk!

We accept credit cards & PayPal. Washington state residents pay Washington state sales tax. Shipping for this item is $8.95. Items can be combined to save on postage. Our environment is smoke free. We pack professionally using only new materials. All items are beautifully wrapped and suitable for sending directly as gifts. You may return any item within 7 days if not satisfied. To order, you may call us at 1-888-PANTEEK, fax or email.