Curtis, William

The Botanical Magazine; Or, Flower-Garden in Which the Most Ornamental Foreign Plants, Cultivated in the Open Ground, the Green-House, and the Stove, are Accurately Represented in their Natural Colours ... Vols. 1–51. London: Stephen Couchman for William Curtis, 1793–1824 — General Indexes to the Plants Contained in the First Twenty Volumes of the Botanical Magazine. London: Stephen Couchman, 1805

51 volumes in 30 + index, 8vo (9 x 5 3/8 in.; 230 x 140 mm). 2,522 hand-colored engraved plates (many folding), engraved portrait of William Curtis; lacks plate 1329, Curtis portrait stained, some toning, minor, occasional text offsetting to plates, and occasional pigment offsetting to text, but generally a fine fresh set. 19th century half red morocco over marbled boards, spines decorated and lettered gilt with 5 raised bands, marbled edges; minor rubbing, spines slightly faded. Index: Quarter polished calf over marbled boards, red lettering piece; boards worn, upper joint cracked.

B.O. Precey (bill of sale from Dawson's Book Shop dated 1943)

Cleveland Herbal 577; Great Flower Books, pp. 83–84; Henrey 472; Hunt 689; Nissen BBI 2350; Stafleu TL2 1290

30 volumes + index, 8vo (9 x 5 3/8 in.; 230 x 140 mm). 2,440 hand-colored engraved plates (many folding); some toning and foxing in first two volumes, minor, occasional text offsetting to plates, but generally a fine fresh set. 19th century half red morocco over marbled boards, spines decorated and lettered gilt with 5 raised bands, marbled edges; minor rubbing, spines slightly faded. Index: Quarter polished calf over marbled boards, red lettering piece; boards worn, upper joint cracked.
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.

"The oldest current scientific periodical of its kind with coloured illustrations in the world ... in the beauty of production and high standard of its contributions it can claim a unique place" (P. Synge, Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society, 73 (1948), 5–6).

William Curtis began publication of The Botanical Magazine in February 1787. In his preface to volume 1 he states: "The present 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."

Curtis edited the first thirteen volumes and was followed by John Sims (1800–1826), William Jackson Hooker (1827–1865), and Joseph Dalton Hooker (1865–1904). Most of the early plates were from drawings by Sydenham Edwards. Other artists included James Sowerby, John Curtis, William Jackson Hooker,  and W.H. Fitch.