British Orchids - botanical print, published in "British Herbal", John Hill, 1756 art poster canvas gift

British orchids - Plate 68 - exquisitely engraved and hand-coloured Georgian print from "The British Herbal: an History of Plants and Trees, native of Britain, cultivated for use or raised for beauty" by John Hill, and published by Osborne & Shipton in 1756, in London.

Sir John Hill (1716 - 1775) was an English composer, actor, author and botanist. He was the son of the Reverend Theophilus Hill and was born in Peterbourough. John apprenticed to an apothecary and started his career as a quack doctor in a small shop in St Martin's Lane, Westminster. Soon however he started to translate and write, and became an indefatigable writer and editor, producing articles, novels, plays, and scientific works.  His famous work was The Vegetable System in 26 volumes (1759-1775), illustrated with copper-plate engravings and one of the first to use the nomenclature of Carl Linnaeus. John Hill's other botanical works include The Useful Family Herbal (1754) and The British Herbal (1756). The British Herbal was an authoritative work for plant lovers with interest in plants for both medical and ornamental purposes.  In recognition of his efforts, he was created a knight of the Order of Vasa in 1774 by Gustav III of Sweden.

This poster is a high quality "giclée" reproduction of a painstakingly restored antique original, custom-printed on Standard Single-weight Matt Coated art paper 140gsm or  Heavyweight Matt Coated art paper 230gsm (more of a thin card density), or superb Epson Matt Canvas 320gsm, according to your choice. We use the latest UltraChromeHDX pigment inks which guarantee 60 years of colour  permanence (up to 200 years fade-proof for colour prints).  This poster is suitable for mounting and framing, as well as direct display on a wall.