Elwes Lilies, Fitch, Edwards & Curtis Antique Lily Prints

Elwes Lilies by Walter Fitch; William and Samual Curtis lily prints. Some Syndham Edwards lilies. All of our antique prints are originals, from the 18th-19th centuries. Over 100-years-old, the following antique lily lithographs & engravings are available. Many are hand-colored with watercolors.

Get personalized service with experienced American dealers when you do business with Anne Hall Antique Prints. Call 413-245-4197 or email oldengraving@gmail.com. See them in person at our Antique Prints Gallery in Newport RI.

Lilies are considered one of the most popular flowers worldwide. They are beloved flowers by gardeners and florists alike. An interesting fact is that the bulbous plants can be found on every continent worldwide.

Elwes Lilies – Walter Hood Fitch – A Monograph of the Genus Lilium 1880

We are enthused to offer our customers the most magnificent hand-colored lithographs of lilies ever produced. There has been no compromise in condition to these lithographs. If you want the best condition and best assortment of Elwes Lilies, shop at AnneHallAntiquePrints.

Henry John Elwes Wrote, Walter Hood Fitch Illustrated: A Monograph Genus Lilium

This fine hand-colored lithograph comes from the most revered work ever produced on Lilies. The text was written by Henry John Elwes and the book was entitled A Monograph Genus Lilium which was published in London in 1880. The folio sized hand-colored lithographs were illustrated by Walter Hood Fitch. Fitch was a famous illustrator of flora, furthermore he was considered to be one of best botanical illustrators of the 19th Century.

These are large folio Elwes Lilies, in which Walter Hood Fitch was the botanical illustrator. The antique lithographs, come from the most important book produced on lilies entitled A Monograph of the Genus Lilium, published 1880.  After the lithographer printed the image from a special limestone plate, the water coloring was meticulously added by an experienced water colorist. 

Each fine antique lithograph has original hand coloring. The watercolor Lily lithograph is intense and bright. The plate is large folio measuring 21 1/2 x 15″. Exquisite near perfect condition. All are available, just call 413-245-4197 and speak to Anne, about the Walter Fitch & Elwes lilies.

Our antique Lily lithographs, were crafted by Walter Hood Fitch, over 140 years ago.

The lithographs were crafted by Walter Hood Fitch. He was a “top” botanical illustrator during the 19th Century.   This collection of antique lithographs is sourced from A Monograph of the Genus Lilium. Each of the Elwes Lilies is a large folio, hand-colored lithograph from 1880.

Elwes Lilies:  Folio Hand-Colored Lithographs; Over 100 Years Old

H. J. Elwes’ A Monograph of the Genus Lilium published London 1880. Lovely hand water-colored lithographs. Walter Hood Fitch (1817-1892) was born and educated in Glasgow, Scotland. Fitch moved to London to work with W. J. Hooker, the director of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew England.  There, Fitch became the sole artist for all official and unofficial botanical illustrations for the Royal Family.  Each print measures 15x 21.75.” See Buy Now options.

3 framed, antique lily lithographs, in stunning tangerine colors.

Trio of tangerine-colored lilies. 19th century botanicals in stunning frames. This set of three antique lily lithographs were printed in Belgium from 1845-1888, as nursery illustrations. They are hand finished color lithographs with exceptionally bright colors. All pieces are in very good condition. Each piece has been framed with conservation materials, including UV glass, ready to hang. The gold picture frames are exquisite, solid wood, ornate scrollwork, reflecting the beautiful colors in the botanicals. Each piece measures 17×20.” Call 413-245-4197 for personal service in making a grouping of your own, from Anne Hall, of Anne Hall Antique Prints.

Bring your home decor, to another level, a clean look with history.

The lilies are hand colored copper plate engravings. Printed onto wove rag paper. Published in London from 1801-1830, these are genuine antiques. Shown here is the work of Curtis and Edwards. Each botanical illustration was published for the Curtis Botanical Magazine. Issued once a month, the periodical was received by anxious and excited subscribers. It was a small paperback type of magazine. Gardeners and well to do people who had interests in gardening would subscribe. It was fashionable to discuss botany.

This grouping of Curtis and Edwards botanical engravings are the featured illustrations issued as fold outs. Carefully collected for years we are offering this beautiful set of assorted flowers. Simple artwork with a history. A clean look for your décor! Because classic artwork is timeless.

Each vintage lily print is about 200 years old. They measure about 9″ high x 11 1/2″ wide.  They would be dramatic framed in a simple style.  Monotone large matting would make them modern. A collection framed as one piece would look great in a modern home or loft. $125. Each. Call Anne to place your order at 413-245-4197.

Syndham Edwards was largely responsible for water coloring each and every illustration immediately after printing. He was a talented artist. His watercolor illumination rarely varied from plate to plate. Rather he was consistent in the intensity of the watercolors. The Botanical Magazine started in 1787 and ran through 1948.

Our lilies are early 19th century, hand colored, copper plate, antique lily engravings, on wove rag paper.  Published London 1801-1830, these are genuine antiques.  Predominately shown and for sale here is the work of Curtis and Edwards.  Each botanical illustration was published for the Curtis Botanical Magazine.  Issued once a month, the periodical was received by anxious and excited subscribers.  A small paperback like type of magazine.  Gardeners and well to do people who read would collect, discuss and define garden plans including many of the latest species described.

Like the look of the Curtis Botanicals? Learn more about the Curtis Family and Botanical Magazine.

The Art of Lithography:

Lithography was a very laborious process.  It took tremendous skill.  It was a lifelong craft, once a lithographer, always a lithographer!  No switching back and forth in careers in the OLD days. One would serve a long apprenticeship, sometimes years on end, with little to no pay, in order to become a craftsman like the one skilled to work on these rare Elwes Lilies that Fitch produced. 

Original illustrations were transferred onto a special kind of limestone.  The limestone came out of a certain area of Germany.  The limestone was cut into large slabs, about 1″ thick.  The illustration was meticulously drawn onto the limestone slab with a type of a greasy crayon. What was under the greasy crayon essentially was what was printed in relief.  The finished desired slab was then emerged into nitric acid.  The nitric acid burned away what was not covered by the greasy crayon.  That area was then in relief.  The greasy crayon was wiped off, inked up, and printed onto a piece of heavy wove rag paper.  (The making of the paper is another story).

Water coloring was meticulously added by a very experienced water colorist. Water coloring was also a lifelong career or craft.  Intense ink from minerals and vegetables and insects made up watercolors in the early days. These water-colored lithographs are vibrant and beautiful.  The prints themselves are in near perfect condition. 

Like the high end? See these pochoir insects!

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