No. 153 (Spring meadow saffron) The Botanical Magazine. London 1791. $150.00

“Bulbocodium Vernum. Vernal Bulbocodium”

William Curtis was an 18th century Englishman who devoted his life to the study of botanicals. The arrival of exotic botanical specimens to Europe prompted a demand for detailed and accurate information concerning the new plants. The Botanical Magazine or Flower-Garden Display'd, later known as Curtis' Botanical Magazine, was issued in a small format, in monthly installments. Each installment arrived wrapped in blue papers and contained three hand-colored botanical illustrations with text describing each plant and its attributes. The first issue of the Botanical Magazine was published February 1787 and was an immediate success. It is considered to be the first horticultural magazine. It remained so popular that it continued to be produced with hand-colored plates up into the 1940s!

The harbinger of spring a wonderful description of purple common crocus with bulb and root system described,

Copperplate engraving with full original hand color and accompanying descriptive text.
Single page measuring 9 ¼ x 5.5 inches sheet.
Excellent condition.