The Endemic Flora of Tasmania
Encyclopedia
The Endemic Flora of Tasmania is a six-volume botanical book
, with text by Winifred Mary Curtis and coloured lithographs by renowned botanical illustrator Margaret Stones
.
The work was commissioned and sponsored by Lord Milo John Reginald Talbot, the 7th Baron Talbot of Malahide
and was published by Ariel Press, London between 1967 and 1978. It has been referred to as "one of the foremost botanical publications of the 20th century."
Stones was working as an illustrator at Kew Gardens
in the 1950s and from 1956 was the principal contributing artist to Curtis's Botanical Magazine
. In 1961, Lord Talbot, a keen gardener, rare plant enthusiast and Tasmanian property owner commissioned her for a group of 35 drawings of Tasmania
n plants. The Talbot family had owned Malahide Estate, near Fingal, Tasmania
since 1824. He later decided to expand the commission and publish the work as a series of books, engaging Curtis to write the text to accompany the final 254 drawings. Collection of the plant material was done by Talbot and Curtis after which they were sent by airfreight to Stones in London for illustrating.
Lord Talbot died in 1973, after the 4th volume was published. Publication of the final two volumes were coordinated by his sister, the Hon. Rose Talbot.
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
, with text by Winifred Mary Curtis and coloured lithographs by renowned botanical illustrator Margaret Stones
Margaret Stones
Elsie Margaret Stones AM, MBE is an Australian botanical illustrator. Stones worked as principal contributing artist to Curtis's Botanical Magazine from 1950 to 1951...
.
The work was commissioned and sponsored by Lord Milo John Reginald Talbot, the 7th Baron Talbot of Malahide
Baron Talbot of Malahide
Baron Talbot of Malahide, in the County of Dublin, is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1831 for Margaret Talbot, widow of Richard Talbot, heir of the ancient Lords of Malahide. She was succeeded by their eldest son, the second Baron. In 1839 he was created Baron Furnival, of...
and was published by Ariel Press, London between 1967 and 1978. It has been referred to as "one of the foremost botanical publications of the 20th century."
Stones was working as an illustrator at Kew Gardens
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, usually referred to as Kew Gardens, is 121 hectares of gardens and botanical glasshouses between Richmond and Kew in southwest London, England. "The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew" and the brand name "Kew" are also used as umbrella terms for the institution that runs...
in the 1950s and from 1956 was the principal contributing artist to Curtis's Botanical Magazine
Curtis's Botanical Magazine
The Botanical Magazine; or Flower-Garden Displayed, is an illustrated publication which began in 1787. The longest running botanical magazine, it is widely referred to by the subsequent name Curtis's Botanical Magazine....
. In 1961, Lord Talbot, a keen gardener, rare plant enthusiast and Tasmanian property owner commissioned her for a group of 35 drawings of Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
n plants. The Talbot family had owned Malahide Estate, near Fingal, Tasmania
Fingal, Tasmania
Fingal is a small Australian town located in Fingal Valley in the north-east of Tasmania, on the Esk Highway.-History:The Fingal area was surveyed in 1824 by Roderic O'Connor and John Helder Wedge, and is believed to have been named after Fingal's Cave in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland rather than...
since 1824. He later decided to expand the commission and publish the work as a series of books, engaging Curtis to write the text to accompany the final 254 drawings. Collection of the plant material was done by Talbot and Curtis after which they were sent by airfreight to Stones in London for illustrating.
Lord Talbot died in 1973, after the 4th volume was published. Publication of the final two volumes were coordinated by his sister, the Hon. Rose Talbot.