Antique Prints, Maps, & Books of Natural History, Botanicals, & More
Lot 4482:
Description
This charming, hand-colored engraving is from
The Compleat Florist for J. Duke in 1747. The engravings were completed by John Carwitham and published by J. Robinson in London. The work is very rarely posted for sale and has only been seen on the market a few times since 1950. Each plate features copper plate writing describing the plant, growing habits, and the season it blooms.
Samuel Johnson, in 1757, defined a florist as a "cultivater [sic.] of flowers" in both a professional and amateur capacity. This work was aimed at both groups of flower growers, and was intended as an indicator of what was available, fashionable, and the "coming-thing, " whilst also providing the necessary growing instructions. The work was first published in two parts in 1740, and re-issued in the present format in 1747.
All of the plates include a note of when the variety flowers, and they all also include integral engraved text that either gives cultivation instructions, or refers back to a previous plate that features another variety of the same plant. The work is not only beautifully engraved and printed, but also offers an important overview of the varieties that were available to gardeners during mid-18th century, an important time in the history of gardening when systematic classification was taking hold.
Paper Size: ~ 5 1/8" by 8 1/2"
Paper Type or Special Features: Originally Hand-colored Engraving
Condition report:
The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.
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