Elizabeth Blackwell - 1739 First Edition - Daisy

$125.00

An exceptionally fine engraving with original hand-coloring from the first edition of A CURIOUS HERBAL - drawn, engraved and painted by Elizabeth Blackwell.  Published in London, c. 1739.

This is Plate 390, Pellitory of Spain (Pyrethrum). Pyrethrum was a genus of several Old World plants now classified as Chrysanthemum or Tanacetum (e.g., C. coccineum) which are cultivated as ornamentals for their showy flower heads. Pyrethrum continues to be used as a common name for plants formerly included in the genus Pyrethrum. Some members of the Chrysanthemum genus are placed in the Tanacetum genus instead by some botanists. These genera are members of the daisy (or aster) familyAsteraceae. They are all perennial plants with a daisy-like appearance and white petals.

These 18th century herbals are from one of the first English botanical series to be issued with hand-colored plates. Published by Elizabeth Blackwell to free her physician husband from debtor’s prison.  Due to the great success and popularity of this enterprise, her husband was indeed released (however he was later beheaded for his part in a political plot to alter the Swedish royal succession).

Plate size is approximately 11 7/8 x 7 7/8 inches.

Shipped Unmatted

  • Inventory# B-607