Date of Printing: 1757 • Medium: Copperplate Engraving (hand colored) • Subject Category: Natural History - Plants & Flowers • Signed: Unsigned • Period Created: Enlightenment (1700 - 1799) • Plate Size HxWxD cm: 38 x 23 • Leaf Paper Size HxW cm: 40.5 x 25.5 • Style: FOLIO Original Vintage • Print on Verso: Blank on verso • Condition: Excellent, with minor toning at edges • Edition Type: 1st Edition - Limited • Paper Type: Laid Paper, Watermarked • Framed: Print only
1757 JOHN HILL - FOLIO EDEN engraving ROSE HIBISCUS Tansy SAGE Phlomis FLOWERS
A MASTERPIECE OF 18th CENTURY BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATION, Hand-colored copper-plate engraving
From: "Eden: or, A Complete Body of Gardening" by John Hill, London, dated 1757. Containing plain and familiar directions for raising the several useful products of a garden, fruits, roots, and herbage; From the practice of the most successful gardeners and the result of a long experience. Together with the culture of all kinds of flowers, according to the methods of the English, French and Dutch florists. With figures and descriptions of the flowers and plants proper for a garden… John Hill was the first writer to introduce the Linnaen system to England.
John Hill was a multifaceted and intriguing figure who is believed to have been born in Peterborough, England in 1716. He first studied as an apothecary and traveled across England in search of herbs for his shop. He was a prolific writer, producing not only scientific works but also plays and novels and even worked as an actor for a time. His works were often controversial, involving him in disputes with other well-known figures of his time. He had a medical degree from Edinburgh and created and sold a variety of herbal medicines, but was accused of being a quack.
In additional to "Eden" he also published an extensive botanical study entitled The Vegetable System for which he was awarded the Order of Vasa by the King of Sweden.
ITEM CONDITION: VERY GOOD CONDITION. Please view images carefully. Light age toning at edges, small crease in paper on right margin. Please see photos.