consists of seven hundred and forty three botanical line engravings, after the watercolours drawn from nature by SYDNEY PARKINSON. The illustrations record the plants collected by Sir JOSEPH BANKS and Dr DANIEL CARL SOLANDER in Madeira, Brazil, Tierra del Fuego, the Society Islands, New Zealand, Australia and Java on Captain JAMES COOK's first voyage round the world, 1768-1771.

Published in association with the British Museum (Natural History)

Dillenia alata - Banks Florilegium Plate 1

The engravings are printed in color à la poupée, up to ten colours being worked directly into the single plate before each print is pulled, with additional details added in watercolour.

Each sheet is identified by a blind embossed stamp on the recto, recording the publishers' and printer's chops, the copyright symbol and date. The initials of the individual printer, the plate number and the edition number are recorded in pencil.

PLATE SIZE

The plates are virtually uniform in size: 18 x 12 inches (457 x 305 mm)

PAPER

Somerset mould-made 300gsm, each sheet watermarked 'AHE', produced in a special making by the Inveresk Paper Company : 28 1/2 x 21 7/8 inches (724 x 556 mm)

The compilation of the botanical information was made under the direction of the British Museum (Natural History). It consists of the relevant botanical, geographical and historical facts (including the names of the artists and engravers) which are printed on the individual mounts.

Each of the engravings is protected within a double-fold sheet of Somerset mould-made 300 gsm paper, acid free and cut to form a window mount.

These superlative line engravings were made under Joseph Banks' personal direction between 1772 and 1784.

The first edition from the original copper-plates was published in thirty-five Parts by Alecto Historical Editions, in association with the British Museum (Natural History) between 1980 and 1990. The edition of one hundred numbered sets was fully subscribed. However we have engravings from three exhibition sets available for purchase. Peruse the collection using our on-line catalogue then check availability and prices by E-mail.

To contact us:
Alecto Historical Editions - Publications Group The Seedbed Centre Vanguard Way Shoeburyness SS3 9QX United Kingdom	Phone: +44(0)1702 295929 Fax: +44(0)1702 587845 E-mail