Bruscus Ruscus (from A Curious Herbal). by EIGHTEENTH CENTURY hand colored botanical engraving) Blackwell, Elizabeth (illus) - circa 1750 - 1773.

Nuremberg, Germany.: C.J. Trew.. circa 1750 - 1773.. Hand colored engraving, plate size 12 x 8 inches on sheet 14.5 x 9 inches. Spot in title at lower right, light soiling at top right of image, otherwise good condition. Image shows the plant and botanical details. From "Herbarium Blackwellianum", the revised German edition of Elizabeth Blackwell's "A Curious Herbal" which had been published in London 1731-1739. Mrs. Blackwell had taken on the task of producing an up-to-date illustrated text of medicinal plants for the purpose of extricating her husband from debtor's prison. Producing the original watercolors, engraving the plates and then handcoloring the engravings, Blackwell raised the money to regulate her husband's affairs, but to little avail since he became involved in a political plot in Sweden and was beheaded there in 1747. The images were re-engraved by N.F. Eisenberger for the German edition, which was published between 1750 and 1773. .