Embothrium speciosissimum, Great Embothria or Waratah (1794)

Hand-coloured print

Bequest of Sir William Dixson, 1952

In Zoology and botany of New Holland and the isles adjacent: the zoological part, by George Shaw ... the botanical part; by James Edward Smith; the figures by James Sowerby, London

Printed by J Davis: published by J Sowerby [1794]

Q79/59

James Sowerby was a natural historian, artist and engraver, who collaborated with James Smith (1759–1828), one of the first botanists to work on the plant specimens sent back to England from the new colony. In 1793 they produced the first scientific publication of Australian flora, A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland. Sowerby plates were renowned for their simplicity and botanical accuracy.