Curtis, William

Letterpress title-pages and indices, including the general index to vols. 1–42 bound in vol. 42,  the general index to vols. 54–63 in vol. 63, Companion to the Botanical Magazine in vols. 71 and 74, and general index to vols. 71–74 in vol. 74, engraved portrait of William Curtis in vol. 42. Illustration: approximately 3008 engraved plates, many folding (numbered 1367–4416).

Volumes 33–74, bound in 42 volumes, 8vo (9 3/8 x 6 in.; 238 x 151 mm). Binding: Green morocco by Stikeman, marbled boards and endpapers, spines gilt in six compartments, top edges. Provenance: Henry W. Poor (banker, stockbroker, and book collector; armorial leather booklabel) — Helen and Carleton R. Richmond (bookplate).



Occasional spotting and toning, some minor offsetting (primarily from plates to text), engraved portrait in vol. 42 lightly foxed. Occasional minor wear to extremities of bindings, spines very lightly sunned, a few corners bumped, small circular loss to back board of vols. 44 & 58. 

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

Occasional spotting and toning, some minor offsetting (primarily from plates to text), engraved portrait in vol. 42 lightly foxed. Occasional minor wear to extremities of bindings, spines very lightly sunned, a few corners bumped, small circular loss to back board of vols. 44 & 58.
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One of the most important and finely illustrated botanical periodicals.

The current run is primarily composed of the second series of this popular magazine. Following Curtis's death in 1799, his friend John Sims assumed the editorship from 1801 to 1826, followed by William Jackson Hooker in 1827. These issues include the work of distinguished botanical artists such as Sydenham Edwards, James Sowerby, John Curtis, William Hooker, Walter Hood Fitch, Matilda Smith, Lilian Snelling, and Stella Ross-Craig, among others. The magazine continued throughout the twentieth century, and it still flourishes today under a different title.