Curtis, William

Letterpress title-pages and indices, including the general index to vols. 1–10 and 11–20 bound in vol. 10 and 20, respectively, "Catalogue of Seeds" bound in the back of vol. 13, engraved portrait of William Curtis in vol. 20. Illustration: 786 engraved plates, comprising 785 handcolored plates, 3 folding, and one uncolored plate (numbered 1–126, 128, 127, 129–144, 139–141, 145–204, 207–205, 208–786). 

20 volumes, 8vo (approximately 10 x 6 in.; 255 x 152 mm, uncut). Binding: Contemporary half calf with marbled-paper–covered boards, spines gilt in six compartments, brown morocco labels in the second.



Some light offsetting, occasional marginal soiling or spotting, approximately 40 plates lightly toned, portrait of Curtis foxed; extremities of bindings rubbed with occasional minor losses, some hinges cracked but holding.   

Cleveland Collections 577; De Belder sale 88; Great Flower Books, pp. 156–157; Henrey 472; Hunt 689; Nissen 2350; Plesch sale 164 Stafleu & Cowan TL2 1290

Some light offsetting, occasional marginal soiling or spotting, approximately 40 plates lightly toned, portrait of Curtis foxed; extremities of bindings rubbed with occasional minor losses, some hinges cracked but holding.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

One of the oldest scientific periodicals of its kind with handcolored engravings.

William Curtis had witnessed from personal experience that his clients refused to buy folio pictures of unassuming plants (his Flora Londiniensis; see lot 10) but he felt that they would subscribe to an octavo work which pictured the more eye-catching plants that filled their gardens: from this premise was born the Botanical Magazine, and Curtis began publication of his new venture in February 1787. In his preface to volume 1 he states: ''The present periodical publication owes its commencement to the repeated solicitations of several ladies and gentlemen... who were frequently lamenting the want of a work, which might enable them, not only to acquire a systematic knowledge of the foreign plants growing in their gardens, but which might at the same time afford them the best information respecting their culture, in fact, a work in which botany and gardening... or the labour of Linnaeus and Miller, might happily be combined."

The work was immediately successful, and the early volumes were quickly reissued as is shown by their variously dated title-pages. Curtis edited the work until his death in 1799 (vols. 1–13) and the remaining volumes in the present run were overseen by John Sims, who presided as editor until 1826. The plates were worked on by many of the most prominent botanical artists of the day, here including the work of John Curtis, Sydenham Edwards, James Sowerby, William Hooker, and others.