ARTIST: Robert Furber
MEDIUM: Copper plate engraving.
DATE: 1730
EDITION SIZE: Image size 16 x 12" (40.7 x 30.5 cm)
DESCRIPTION: Robert Furber (1674 – 1756) was a Kensington nurseryman best known for his publication, The Twelve Months of the Year in Flowers. The first seed catalog ever printed.<br><br> In 1730 Furber advertised that he intended to publish a set of twelve prints, one for each month of the year depicting the flowers that were in bloom for that particular month. The prints were based on paintings by the Flemish artist Pieter Casteels III and engraved by Henry Fletcher.<br><br> Though beautiful, these prints were not purely decorative, but a clever marketing scheme to promote Furber’s nursery in Kensington. Furber promised that there would be upwards of 30 different kinds of flowers per print, with each flower labeled with a number and identified. And all were available for purchase from his nursery. With the twelve prints, nearly 400 different flowering species were available. The set was later reprinted in a smaller size under the title The Flower Garden Display’d.<br><br> He also went on to publish a set of twelve of fruits.
ADDITIONAL INFO: Framed.
CONDITION: Good condition save for occasional filled worm holes. Small split in lower left corner. Professionally conserved. Backed on rag paper. Original hand coloring.
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