Elisabeth Blackwell - Piper indicum (Chili Pepper)

Title: 1754 Elisabeth Blackwell - Piper indicum (Chili Pepper) - Original Hand-Colored Engraving with Typography Leaf & CoA

Description:

This lot features a spectacular, vibrantly colored botanical plate from Elisabeth Blackwell’s world-renowned medical and botanical masterpiece, the Nuremberg edition of Herbarium Blackwellianum (1754).

This is not merely a single print; the winning bidder will receive a complete, museum-quality historical package that satisfies the highest demands of collectors and investors. The artwork comes with its original accompanying text leaf and a hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity.

ITEM SPECIFICATIONS:

Subject: Chili Pepper / Spanischer Pfeffer (Piper indicum, Tab. 129)

Year of Publication: c. 1754 (Nuremberg)

Technique: Original copperplate engraving with contemporary (18th-century) hand-coloring.

Material: Early modern handmade laid paper.

Condition: Excellent for its age. The paper features a beautiful, warm historical patina with full, uncut original margins.

THE COMPLETE HISTORICAL PACKAGE (What is included):

The Original Engraving (Tab. 129): The vibrantly hand-colored copperplate print of the Piper indicum.

The Original 1754 Typography Leaf: A true rarity on the market. Included is the complete, physical letterpress text page that originally accompanied the print in the 18th-century volume, containing the contemporary Latin and German botanical descriptions.

Certificate of Authenticity (CoA): As seen in the gallery, the item comes with a printed and hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity, providing an official expert guarantee of the print's age, provenance, and originality.

MARKS OF AUTHENTICITY (Please see the high-resolution macro photos):
The attached close-up photographs perfectly illustrate features that guarantee authenticity:

Laid Paper Structure: The dense horizontal and vertical chain lines left by the 18th-century papermaker's mold are clearly visible.

Plate Mark: The deep, tactile impression of the copper plate pressing into the thick paper is distinctly visible around the artwork and text.

Hand-Coloring: The macro shots reveal the incredibly meticulous lines of the engraver and the rich texture of the original 18th-century brushstrokes.