Lycium foliis oblongo-lanceolatis fine ordine, ramorum spinis rarioribus. by Trew, Christopher Jacob and Benedict Christian Vogel. Ehret, G.D. (illus) - 1750-1773.

[Nuremberg].. 1750-1773.. Engraving, hand-colored, plate area approximately 13 x 8 3/4 on sheet size 19 3/4 x 14 inches. Two small areas of tape residue along verso of upper edge from previous matting (not affecting image). Overall very good clean condition on fine laid paper with watermark. An exceptional antique botanical print depicting a Boxthorn plant by one of the finest botanical artists of all time, Georg Dionysus Ehret, engraved by Johann Jacob Haid and published in PLANTAE SELECTAE by Christopher Jacob Trew and Benedict Christian Vogel (plate LXVIII). This remarkable work, published over the period 1750 to 1773, scientifically documents and artistically celebrates exotic plants in the collection of the Chelsea Physic Garden in London and other collectors at a time when the collection, cultivation and documentation of exotic flowers was popular among the upper strata of European society. Ehret trained as a gardener, but his talent as a botanical artist was noted and put to work by wealthy patrons including the physician and botanist Dr. Trew. Included are fine botanical details reflecting the influence of the newly introduced Linnaean system of plant classification. (Nissen 1997; Great Flower Books, p.78; Dunthorne 309). .