Curtis, William

Vols. 1-184, with indexes to Vols. 1-164; 3 plain and 10,572 hand-coloured or lithographic plates, some folding, two uncoloured plates (nos. 903B and 1605B). Up to Vol. 164 in 1947, the plates were hand coloured.
Vol 1-24 in contemporary half calf; Vol 25-44 in contemporary calf (vol 29 with restoration on the bottom of the spine; vol 44 rebacked); Vol 45-46 in modern half calf; vol 46-52 ; Vol 53-69 in contemporary half calf tinted in green; vol 70-73 in modern calf; Vol 74-76 in modern half calf tinted in green; Vol 77-144 two numbers bound in one vol. in modern green calf; Index dated 1906; Vol 145-164 bound in brown cloth; Vol 165-180 bound in blue cloth (some spines faded); Vol 181-184 bound in green cloth; “Kew Magazine” Vol 1-14 in blue calf. 
All together 165 volumes. 

see catalogue description
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.

An extensive run of one of the oldest scientific periodicals of its kind with hand-coloured engravings. “The reputation of the magazine has always resided in the accuracy of its portrayal of plants... this pictorial record of garden and greenhouse plants from the temperate and tropical regions of the world has no rival...” (Desmond p. 7). William Curtis discovered through personal experience that his clients refused to buy folio pictures of unassuming plants (vide, his Flora Londinensis), but he felt that they would subscribe to an octavo work which pictured the showy plants that filled their gardens. From this premise was born the “Botanical Magazine” in February 1787, the work was immediately successful, and the early volumes were quickly reissued. William Curtis edited the work until his death in 1799 (vols. 1-13), John Sims then took over 1801 until 1826. The third period, under the editorship Sir William Hooker ran from 1827 to 1864, when Sir William’s son, Sir Joseph Hooker took over. The plates were worked on by many of the most prominent botanical artists of the day, including the work of John Curtis, Sydenham Edwards, James Sowerby, William Hooker, and perhaps most noteworthy of all, Walter Hood Fitch. The Magazine continued throughout the twentieth century. Under a different title it still flourishes today.