Lot 139: SOWERBY - BOTANICALS - FIVE (5) HAND COLORED ENGRAVINGS - SUITE #1 - C. 1794

Five (5) stunning hand-colored engravings by James Sowerby, Circa 1794. Each measures approximately 6 1/2 x 10 inches. Very Good Condition. James Sowerby, F.L.S. (21 March 1757 – 25 October 1822) was an English botanist. Published works, such as A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland or English Botany, include his detailed and appealing plates. The use of vivid colour and accessible texts were intended to reach a widening audience in works of natural history. English Botany; or, Coloured Figures of British Plants, with their Essential Characters, Synonyms, and Places of Growth was published in 36 volumes over 23 years and was given the full title, English Botany or, Coloured Figures of British Plants, with their Essential Characters, Synonyms and Places of Growth, the descriptions supplied by Sir James E. Smith were illuminated by Sowerby's 2,592 hand-colored plates. The volumes were issued by subscription, as a part work over 23 years, until its eventual completion in 1813. This amounted to 36 volumes which came to be referred to 'Sowerby's Botany', though somewhat erroneously.

6 1/2 X 10 INCHES

ENGRAVING

1794

VERY GOOD