Rare Antique Print-CUPID’S BOW-ACHIMEDES LONGIFL.-HORT. SOCIETY-Drake-Say-c.1825

Mezzotint engraving and roulette on steel with plate and hand colouring on wove paper. Watermark: Probably J. Whatman (not visible in this sheet). on paper.

Size in cm: The overall size is ca. 22 x 28 cm. The image size is ca. 21.5 x 27 cm. Size in inch: The overall size is ca. 8.7 x 11 inch. The image size is ca. 8.5 x 10.6 inch.

Antique print, titled: ‘Achimenes longiflora’ – This attractive subtle partly hand coloured print shows the Cupid’s bow, nut-orchid, or magic flower. From: ‘Transactions of the Horticultural Society.’, published by the Horticultural Society of London, ca. 1825. Numbered: Hort trans, Vol II, plate X. Second Series. A notable feature of this publication was its pioneering use of steel (as opposed to copper) for the engraved illustrations after 1820. A number of artists and engravers were involved in the production of the different engravings, but in all instances these are exceptionally beautiful images skillfully rendered by a combination of different techniques including engraving, mezzotint, aquatint and stipple, colored a la poupee and by hand.Artists and Engravers: Made by ‘William Say’ after ‘Miss Drake’. William Say (1768-1834) was a productive English engraver. He was a pupil of James Ward. Say worked entirely in mezzotint, creating 335 plates between 1801 and 1834.

Condition: Good, given age. Left edge irregular from binding. Sheet trimmed as issued. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.

Keywords: RARE ANTIQUE PRINT-CUPID’S BOW-ACHIMEDES LONGIFL.-HORT. SOCIETY-DRAKE-SAY

PCOX-E1-09