A curious herbal, containing five hundred cuts, of the most useful plants, which are now used in the practice of physick . . ., London: 1739–51

2 volumes, includes numerous hand-colored engravings
L.2019.37.13
A curious herbal, containing five hundred cuts, of the most useful plants, which are now used in the practice of physick . . .

Interpretation

In order to gain her physician husband’s release from debtor’s prison, Blackwell received support from the English Society of Apothecaries to produce an up-to-date herbal. She drew each plant from life, engraved the copper plates, and hand colored the printed images; her husband wrote the accompanying texts. This plate is of the white opium poppy, its properties presciently described on the previous page: “Opium is the greatest Anodine we have, easing pain, procuring sleep, . . . and is an excellent medicine in the hands of a wise man; and ought never to be prescribed by any other; many fatal accidents ensuing from the immoderate or unseasonable use of it.”

Information

Title
A curious herbal, containing five hundred cuts, of the most useful plants, which are now used in the practice of physick . . .
Object Number
L.2019.37.13
Maker
Elizabeth Blackwell
Medium
2 volumes, includes numerous hand-colored engravings
Dates
London: 1739–51
Dimensions
height: 48 cm (18 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
Rare Book Division, Special Collections, Princeton University Library

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