Bertuch, Rubber and Gum Arabic Trees, 1802, Engraving

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Original antique botanical print of rubber and gum arabic trees by bertuch, 1802 original antique hand-colored copper engraving depicting two … Read more Original antique botanical print of rubber and gum arabic trees by bertuch, 1802 original antique hand-colored copper engraving depicting two economically important tropical trees, the natural rubber tree and the gum arabic tree, published in friedrich justin bertuch’s celebrated “bilderbuch für kinder” in weimar in 1802. The plate is titled “pflanzen lxxxiv / plantes lxxxiv” and belongs to bertuch’s series devoted to remarkable commercial and useful plants. Fig. 1 depicts what bertuch described as the caoutchouc or rubber-producing tree. The illustration shows a leafy branch together with its flowers, fruit and seed, reflecting the growing european fascination with natural rubber and its botanical origins. Fig. 2 illustrates the arabian gum tree or nile mimosa, a species of acacia associated with the production of gum arabic. Its elegant compound foliage is accompanied by a separate representation of the characteristic seed pod. Gum arabic had long been an important commercial commodity and was used in medicine, painting, inks, confectionery and numerous other applications. Together, the two plants provide a fascinating glimpse into european interest around 1800 in exotic plants that supplied valuable natural materials for international commerce, medicine and manufacturing. The engraving is delicately enhanced with original hand coloring in restrained shades of green, yellow and brown. Friedrich justin bertuch (1747–1822) was a german publisher, writer and patron of the arts. His monumental “bilderbuch für kinder” (picture book for children) was one of the great illustrated educational encyclopedias of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, containing hundreds of finely engraved plates covering natural history, geography, science, technology, antiquity and numerous other subjects. Creator: friedrich justin bertuch (1747–1822) source: bilderbuch für kinder plate: pflanzen lxxxiv / plantes lxxxiv subjects: caoutchouc / natural rubber tree and arabian gum tree / nile mimosa place of publication: weimar, germany date of manufacture: 1802 period: early 19th century style: neoclassical – in the period of medium: original hand-colored copper engraving on paper condition: good. Wear consistent with age and use. Light age-related toning and scattered minor spotting and marks. Minor marginal wear. Original hand coloring remains attractive. Please refer to the photographs for further details of condition. Please note: this is an original antique print from the early 19th century, not a modern reproduction. The print is sold unframed. Framed images or interior views, if shown, are for presentation and inspiration only. Other companion botanical plates from bertuch’s “bilderbuch für kinder” are also available separately. Keywords: rubber tree print, caoutchouc, natural rubber, gum arabic, acacia tree, nile mimosa, commercial plants, useful plants, tropical plants, botanical engraving, antique botanical print, economic botany, natural history print, bertuch print, friedrich justin bertuch, hand colored engraving, 1802 botanical print See less