BLACKWELL, Elizabeth (d.1758). A Curious Herbal, containing five hundred cuts of the most useful plants... from drawings taken from life ... To which is added a short description of ye plants and their common use in physick. London: C. Nourse, 1782. 2 volumes, 2° (463 x 284mm). Engraved throughout, two titles, two dedicatory leaves, one leaf commendation from the Royal College of Physicians, one leaf of 'Publick Recommendation', two leaves of 'English index', 2 leaves 'Catalogus Plantarum..', 125 leaves of explanatory text and 500 hand-coloured plates (Margins of a few plates lightly browned). Contemporary diced russia gilt, covers with outer border of 'greek-key' roll, Botfield arms in the centre, early-19th century spine in seven compartments delineated by fillets and a double-helix roll tool, lettered in the second compartment, numbered in the fourth (expertly rebacked and cornered in the early 19th century, upper inner hinges reinforced, lower inner hinge cracked, spines slightly faded). Provenance : Arthur Cuthbert (armorial bookplate). A VERY FINE LARGE SET, Henrey's sixth issue. The work's bibliographical history is complicated and not fully understood. "There is no uniformity with regard to the number of dedications contained in the various issues, or in the order in which the preliminary leaves are arranged" (Henrey). The present copy is a late issue: both titles are dated 1782, but according to Lisney 'the remaining leaves, including the plates, have been printed from the blocks used' for the first issue of 1737. Elizabeth Blackwell undertook the work with the encouragement of various eminent members of the medical profession and with the intention of paying off her husband Alexander's debts. She took a house opposite the Chelsea Physic Garden, at 4, Swan Walk, at the suggestion of Isaac Reed, in order to draw and engrave the plants. Her husband helped by supplying the common names of the plants in various languages. The work was a success, and she achieved her object. She accompanied her husband to Sweden where he was employed as an agricultural expert (Linnaeus visited him in 1746), but he unfortunately became involved in politics, was arrested and eventually beheaded on 29 July 1747, for his part in a conspiracy to alter the Swedish succession. Elizabeth, who died in 1758, is buried in the churchyard of Chelsea Old Church. Henrey 455; Lisney 175 & 180. (2)
BLACKWELL, Elizabeth (d.1758). A Curious Herbal, containing five hundred cuts of the most useful plants... from drawings taken from life ... To which is added a short description of ye plants and their common use in physick. London: C. Nourse, 1782. 2 volumes, 2° (463 x 284mm). Engraved throughout, two titles, two dedicatory leaves, one leaf commendation from the Royal College of Physicians, one leaf of 'Publick Recommendation', two leaves of 'English index', 2 leaves 'Catalogus Plantarum..', 125 leaves of explanatory text and 500 hand-coloured plates (Margins of a few plates lightly browned). Contemporary diced russia gilt, covers with outer border of 'greek-key' roll, Botfield arms in the centre, early-19th century spine in seven compartments delineated by fillets and a double-helix roll tool, lettered in the second compartment, numbered in the fourth (expertly rebacked and cornered in the early 19th century, upper inner hinges reinforced, lower inner hinge cracked, spines slightly faded). Provenance : Arthur Cuthbert (armorial bookplate). A VERY FINE LARGE SET, Henrey's sixth issue. The work's bibliographical history is complicated and not fully understood. "There is no uniformity with regard to the number of dedications contained in the various issues, or in the order in which the preliminary leaves are arranged" (Henrey). The present copy is a late issue: both titles are dated 1782, but according to Lisney 'the remaining leaves, including the plates, have been printed from the blocks used' for the first issue of 1737. Elizabeth Blackwell undertook the work with the encouragement of various eminent members of the medical profession and with the intention of paying off her husband Alexander's debts. She took a house opposite the Chelsea Physic Garden, at 4, Swan Walk, at the suggestion of Isaac Reed, in order to draw and engrave the plants. Her husband helped by supplying the common names of the plants in various languages. The work was a success, and she achieved her object. She accompanied her husband to Sweden where he was employed as an agricultural expert (Linnaeus visited him in 1746), but he unfortunately became involved in politics, was arrested and eventually beheaded on 29 July 1747, for his part in a conspiracy to alter the Swedish succession. Elizabeth, who died in 1758, is buried in the churchyard of Chelsea Old Church. Henrey 455; Lisney 175 & 180. (2)
.jpg?w=400 "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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