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HILL, Sir John (1716?-1775)
[The double Musk Rose and various flowers] [Pl. 45]
[Pl. 45]. London: [1756-1757]. Copper engraving, finely hand-coloured by a modern hand. Very good condition apart from some overall light soiling, a small fold in the bottom right-hand corner, and a light water stain in the bottom left-hand corner. Plate mark: 14 7/8 x 8 5/8 inches. Sheet size: 16 x 10 inches.
A rare plate from one of the first 'modern' gardening books: Hill's ‘Eden: or, a Compleat body of gardening’
Most likely born in Peterborough in 1716, Sir John Hill was a versatile and productive Englishman who was primarily renowned for introducing the Linnaean system of classification to England. Hill first began studying botany after completing an apprenticeship as an apothecary, and he was soon commissioned to organize the dried plant collection and gardens of the Duke of Richmond and Lord Petre. In addition to his many botanical endeavors, he pursued a number of varied careers that included stints as an actor, novelist, and gardener at Kensington Palace.
In acknowledgement of his voluminous publication The Vegetable System (1759-1775), which he undertook at the behest of his patron Lord Bute, he was awarded the Order of Vasa by the King of Sweden in 1774.
Cf. Great Flower Books (1990) p.100; cf. Henrey III. 776; cf. Hunt 559; cf. Nissen BBI 880; cf. Tongiorgi Tomasi An Oak Spring Flora 53 (second edition)
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#8957 $600.00 
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© 2002-2005 Donald A. Heald
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