Item #311418 N. 220 (Erica Cerinthoides. Honeywort-Flower'd Heath.). William CURTIS.
N. 220 (Erica Cerinthoides. Honeywort-Flower'd Heath.)

N. 220 (Erica Cerinthoides. Honeywort-Flower'd Heath.)

London: W. Curtis, 1794.

Botanical print. Copper plate engraving with hand coloring. Page measures 9" x 5.75".

This attractive engraving depicts the Erica cerinthoides, a species of heath native to South Africa. Also called Honeywort-flower'd heath, common names include fire erica, fire heath or red hairy heath. According to Curtis, it is "one of the most magnificent of the genus, grows wild at the Cape, from whence it was introduced to the royal garden at Kew, by Mr. Masson, in 1774".

William Curtis (1746-1799) was an English botanist who began as an apothecary before turning his attention to natural history. He established his own London Botanic Garden in the 1770's and published "Flora Londinensis" (6 volumes, 1777-1798) which was devoted to urban nature. This was not a financial success, but he went on to publish "The Botanical Magazine" in 1787, a work that featured hand colored plates by various artists, and which was very popular. Natural history illustrators such as James Sowerby and Sydenham Edwards found a start with the magazine.

This botanical is from volume 1 of the magazine and is sold with it's original description. Pin holes along left edge from original binding. Full original margins. Please visit our gallery for more Curtis prints.

Language: English

Price: $50.00

Item #311418

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