An attractive collection of fine plates, being one of the earliest examples of colour printing.

Weinmann (1683-1741) was a Regensburg apothecary who organized the publication of Phytanthoza Iconographia, a huge florilegum which was not only very beautiful but which also influenced the publication of similar works worldwide. "The mezzotint process used here had been invented by Johann Teyler in the Netherlands around 1688. As practiced here by Bartholomaus Seuter (1678-1754) and Johann Elias Ridinger (1698-1767), it was really a combination of etching and mezzotint, which made possible delicate lines and a very fine grain. The addition of hand-tinting brought about unusual and subtle effects" (Hunt).

Top image: These are examples of 'bizarre' tulips, whose colouring is always a red (or brownish red) over a base colour of yellow. Shown on the left are ripe seedheads, split open to show the seeds layered inside. Tulips can take up to 7 years to flower to seed, so I tend to increase my stocks by gently separating the bulblets, or daughter bulbs from the main mother bulb when I lift them after flowering each year.

Second image: Shown on the right is a broken 'rose' tulip, of cerise over a white base. On the left is a multi-headed variety, similar to 'Antoinette' which we grow today (although 'Antoinette' changes colour to pink as it ages, causing confusion). The tulip in the centre exhibits an interesting half-tepal half-leaf, which is not as rare as you would think - I come across this anomaly fairly regularly in my tulip beds.

Third image: no label

Fourth image: Parrot tulips are sports of Single Late and Triumph tulips, that have been grown since 1665, and possibly earlier. Described as Dragon tulips by Pierre-Joseph Redouté, they are now known as parrots for the feathery appearance of their lacerated and twisted petals. Their oversized heads often prove to be too heavy for their stems, resulting in disastrous snapping come wind or rain (as I have found out from bitter experience, losing whole rows to the Wiltshire weather).

Fifth image: Double tulips, also known as Peony tulips, were introduced in Basilius Besler's Hortus Eystettensis of 1613, and have remained popular ever since. They have received bad press throughout their long history, being criticised for their muddled petal arrangements, but I love them for their luxurious fullness and texture. They work best when massed together in a container.

Sixth image: Viridiflora tulips, identified by a wash or streaks of green on the outside, contain excellent perennial properties and can flower for many years if naturalised in the garden. The Viridiflora division (Division 8) was introduced in 1981, but tulips marked with green have been recorded since they were illustrated by Basilius Besler in 1613. The Latin for green is viridis.

6 mezzotint engravings, printed in colour and finished by hand; framed & glazed, overall size: 48 x 34.5 cm.