Navigation 2023

Rare prints and maps...Since 1918! Click here to go to Darvill's home page.

Since Adirondack Retro acquired Darvill's Rare Prints in August of 2022, we have been working tirelessly on our New State-Of-The Art Website. We are excited to announce that it is now up and running and that our massive inventory of Antique Prints and Rare Maps are being transferred over to the new site daily. In addition to the nearly 500,000 prints found on www.DarvillsRarePrints.com, Adirondack Retro offers an eclectic selection of Antique and Vintage Advertisements along with their Limited Edition Giclee Prints. During this transition, customers will still be able to shop and make purchases on www.DarvillsRarePrints.com.

Sign up for our Mailing List and receive our Adirondack Retro Newsletter. When you sign up, we will email you a coupon code for you to get 15% OFF your first order at AdirondackRetro.com.

Full title:
FLORA LONDINENSIS: OR PLATES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF SUCH PLANTS AS GROW WILD IN THE ENVIRONS OF LONDON: WITH Their Places of Growth, and Times of Flowering; their several Names according to Linnaeus and other Authors: with A particular Description of each Plant in LATIN and ENGLISH.
To which are Added, Their several Uses in Medicine, Agriculture, Rural Oeconomy, and other Arts.

by William Curtis,
DEMONSTRATOR of BOTANY to the Company of APOTHECARIES

LONDON: Printed and Sold by the Author, No. 51 Gracechurch-Street: and B. White, Bookseller, in Fleet-Street
MDCCLXXVII

Original 245+-year-old hand-colored copperplate engravings from William Curtis's "Flora Londinensis" published in 1777

William Curtis holding his famous book, Flora Londinensis (1777-98).
A portrait attributed to Joseph Wright of Derby.

William Curtis, a Quaker, was eager to share his horticultural knowledge with others; when a projected course of lectures at Chelsea did not materialize, he arranged one of his own, on botany and horticulture, in the new garden which he had made for himself in "Lambeth Marsh."  Here he also cultivated some six thousand species of plants. But his prime interest was in the British flora, especially in such flowers as grew in the neighborhood of London. With the support of Lord Bute, he embarked on his first ambitious project, the Flora Londinensis — a series of coloured folio illustrations and descriptions of the plants which grew within a radius of ten miles of the metropolis.

The first part of Flora Londinensis appeared in 1777, and in the same year Curtis, overburdened with work, resigned his post at Chelsea. For ten years he continued perseveringly at his congenial but unremenerative task; by 1787, the results of his labours were two splendid folio volumes and a deficit which made the continuance of his venture impossible. He understood the cause of the trouble and saw the remedy: if his clients refused to buy folio pictures of the unassuming plants that grew by the wayside, he would win their patronage with octavo engravings of the bright exotics which filled their gardens. Thus, in 1787, the Botanical Magazine was born. As Curtis himself said, it brought him "pudding" whereas Flora Londinensis had only brought him praise.

Darvill's collection of fine Curtis botanicals includes both "Flora Londinensis" and the "Botanical Magazine"
Hand-coloured engravings. Sheet size is approx. 11 1/2 x 17 3/4 inches. Plate/Image sizes vary (noted below each thumbnail).
Each print is accompanied by the original descriptive text page(s) in both Latin and English, unless otherwise indicated.
PLEASE CLICK ON A THUMBNAIL FOR A PHOTO OF THE ENTIRE PLATE
(The Greater Bistort or Snake-weed)

Polygonum Bistorta
(The Greater Bistort or Snake-weed)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 10 1/2 x 17 3/4 inches
NOTE NARROW TOP MARGIN DUE TO LARGE IMAGE SIZE, AS ISSUED

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(Small, creeping, narrow-leaved Persicaria)

Polygonum minus
(Small, creeping, narrow-leaved Persicaria)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 9 3/4 x 11 1/2 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(Spotted-stalked Persicaria)

Polygonum Pensylvanicum var. caule maculato (Spotted-stalked Persicaria)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 10 1/2 x 17 1/2 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
DWARF POLYTRICHUM

Plate 102

Polytrichum subrotundum
(Dwarf Polytrichum)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 5 x 7 1/4 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
Poterium Sanguisorba

Plate 191

Poterium Sanguisorba
(Burnet)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 8 1/4 x 14 3/4 inches
NOTE: THERE IS A HOLE IN THE PAPER JUST ABOVE THE RIGHT-MOST AND BOTTOM-MOST CLUSTER OF LEAVES
(SHOWS AS A WHITE SPOT ON THE SCAN)

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
SELF-HEAL

Plate 229

Prunella vulgaris
(Self-heal)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 10 1/4 x 12 1/2 inches
NOTE A COUPLE OF UNOBTRUSIVE FOX MARKS

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
SEA LUNGWORT

Pulmonaria maritima
(Sea Lungwort)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 14 3/4 x 7 1/4 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

(Creeping Crowfoot)
Plate 211

Ranunculus repens
(Creeping Crowfoot)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 14 3/4 x 9 1/4 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

Ranunculus Ficaria
Ranunculus Ficaria
(Pilewort)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 8 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(Broad-leaved Dock)
Plate 168

Ranunculus obtusifolium
(Broad-leaved Dock)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 10 1/4 x 17 1/4 inches
NOTE NARROW TOP MARGIN DUE TO LARGE SIZE OF IMAGE, AS ISSUED

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(Sheep's Sorrel)
Rumex Acetosella
(Sheep's Sorrel)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 7 3/4 x 11 1/4 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(Upright Pearlwort)
Plate 186

Sagina erecta
(Upright Pearlwort)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 7 1/4 x 5 3/4 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(Procumbent Pearlwort)
Plate 158

Sagina precumbens
(Procumbent Pearlwort)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 7 1/2 x 6 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(Procumbent Pearlwort)
Plate 158

Sagina precumbens
(Procumbent Pearlwort)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 7 1/2 x 6 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
DWARF ELDER
Plate 213

Sambucus Ebulus
(Dwarf Elder)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 17 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(Round-leaved Water-Pimpernel)
Plate 268

Samolus Valerandi
(Round-leaved Water-Pimpernel)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 6 1/2 x 11 1/2 inches
NOTE DISCOLORATION WHERE A SUBSTANCE WAS WASHED OVER IMAGE AREA

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
WHITE SAXIFRAGE
Saxifraga Granulata
(White Saxifrage)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 6 1/2 x 15 1/4 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(Water-Figwort or Water-Betony)
Plate 291

Schrophularia aquatica
(Water-Figwort or Water-Betony)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 9 3/4 x 17 1/2 inches
NOTE LIGHT TEXT OFFSETTING AND NARROW TOP MARGIN DUE TO LARGE SIZE OF IMAGE, AS ISSUED

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(Common Hooded Willow-herb)
Plate 155

Scutellaria galericulata
(Common Hooded Willow-herb)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 10 1/4 x 17 1/2 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(White-flowered Stonecrop)
Sedum Album
(White-flowered Stonecrop)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 5 1/4 x 5 3/4 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(Insipid Stonecrop)
Plate 225

Sedum sexangulare
(Insipid Stonecrop)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 5 x 6 inches
NOTE LIGHT TEXT OFFSETTING AND FOXING

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
orpine
Plate 210

Sedum Telephium
(Orpine)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 9 x 16 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
groundsel
Senecio vulgaris
(Groundsel)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 6 3/4 x 13 3/4 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(Small Bur-Reed)
Plate 341

Sparganium simplex
(Small Bur-Reed)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 9 3/4 x 13 3/4 inches
NOTE FAINT TEXT OFFSETTING

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(Clown's Allheal)
Plate 208

Stachys palustris
(Clown's Allheal)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 10 x 15 1/4 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
Stchys Slivatica Hedge Nettle 183
Plate 183

Stachys sylvatica
(Hedge Nettle)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 10 3/8 x 16 1/2 inches

Mounted and framed in a silver/red frame measuring about 17 1/4 x 23 3/8 inches
Please pardon flash reflection on glass in photograph
A couple of mild fox marks

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$399.95

NOTE: ADDITIONAL SHIPPING WILL BE REQUIRED FOR THIS FRAMED PIECE. PLEASE ENQUIRE PRIOR TO PURCHASE OR LOOK FOR INVOICE AFTER PURCHASE. THANK YOU.
(The Greater Stichwort)
Stellaria Holostea
(The Greater Stichwort)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 9 3/4 x 13 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(Bog Stichwort)
Stellaria ulignosa
(Bog Stichwort)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 8 3/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(Mithridate Mustard)
Plate 303

Thlaspi campstre
(Mithridate Mustard)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 8 3/4 x 14 inches
NOTE LIGHT TEXT OFFSETTING/FOXING

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(Hop Trefoil)
Plate 161

Trifolium agrarium
(Hop Trefoil)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 13 3/4 x 9 1/4 inches
NOTE SOFT, UNOBTRUSIVE CREASE LOWER LEFT

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(Round-headed Trefoil)
Plate 227

Trifolium glomeratum
(Round-headed Trefoil)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 8 3/4 x 7 1/4 inches
NOTE SCATTERED FOXING OUTSIDE OF IMAGE AREA

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(Dutch Clover)
Plate 193

Trifolium repens
(Dutch Clover)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 9 3/4 x 7 3/4 inches
NOTE VERY FAINT TEXT OFFSETTING

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

(Subterraneous Trefoil)
Plate 128

Trifolium subterraneum
(Subterraneous Trefoil)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 6 1/2 x 6 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

(Smooth Tower-Mustard)
Plate 253

Turritis glabra
(Smooth Tower-Mustard)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 10 1/4 x 17 1/2 inches
NOTE NARROW TOP MARGIN DUE TO LARGE IMAGE SIZE, AS ISSUED

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(Coltsfoot)
Tussilago Fargara
(Coltsfoot)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 14 x 10 1/4 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

(Corn Sallad)
Valeriana Locusta
(Corn Sallad)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 6 x 8 inches
NOTE DAMP STAIN IN RIGHT MARGIN, OUTSIDE OF IMAGE AREA. ALSO, ORIGINAL WATERCOLOUR SMEAR IN LOWER LEFT OF IMAGE

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(Procumbent Garden-Speedwell)
Veronica agrestis
(Procumbent Garden-Speedwell)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 9 3/4 x 6 1/2 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(Wall Speedwell)
Plate 133

Veronica arvensis
(Wall Speedwell)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 5 x 7 1/2 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
(Little Smooth Speedwell, or Paul's Betony)
Veronica serpyllifolia
(Little Smooth Speedwell, or Paul's Betony)

Image size, measured at plate mark:
approx. 5 x 7 1/4 inches

Original text page(s) included along with copy of title page/frontispiece to Flora Londinensis from 1777

$249.95
  click to go the second page of Flora Londinensis prints by William Curtis  
 
Thousands of Original Antique and Vintage Botanical Prints