Banks' Florilegium Plate 640 Boerhavia Actuifolia

Part XXX - Society Islands. One of a set of 738 botanical prints produced from original drawings made by Sydney Parkinson on the first voyage of Captain Cook (1768-1771). Parkinson made sketches of hundreds of specimens collected by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander on the voyage, which were to be turned into completed watercolours on their return. This specimen was found at the Society Islands, between 13 April and 9 August 1769. During the first part of the voyage Parkinson had time to complete the drawing in full watercolours, either immediately in situ or aboard later in the voyage. The watercolour was made by Sydney Parkinson and engraved by Gabriel Smith, under the patronage of Banks, but never published. These passed to the Natural History Museum on Banks' death and were eventually published by them in the 1980s (in association with Alecto Publishing) in full colour, using the original engraving plates. This set is Number 95 of a limited edition of 100. Each print is inscribed with specimen name, finding location, artists names and date.

Object Details

ID: ZBA6564
Type: Print
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Alecto Historical Editions; Parkinson, Sydney Natural History Museum
Date made: 1980-1991
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Mount: 734 mm x 570 mm