Rare Set of Twelve Elizabeth Blackwell Engravings

A set of 12 engravings by Elizabeth Blackwell from the rare first edition of "A Curious Herbal", published in London between 1737 and 1739 Elizabeth Blackwell undertook the work with the encouragement Sir Hans Sloane 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 where many of these were under cultivation. Abridging the text of Miller's Botanicum Officinale her husband helped by supplying the common names of the plants in various languages and the scientific information. Elizabeth made not only the drawings for but also etched and engraved the copper-plates, and afterwoods coloured the 500 printed illustrations by hand. Each print in folio edition measure approximately 9” by 14” ½ (23 by 37 cm). The condition of these prints is excellent with fine hand colouring, almost like watercolours in quality . Wonderful chained hand made watermarked paper . They are presented in bespoke frames behind UV70 glass which cuts reflection and affords the prints some protection.