Scarlet Beebalm (Monarda didyma) – Original Hand-Colored Botanical Engraving by Joseph Jacob von Plenck (c. 1788)

Original hand-coloured copper engraving depicting the Yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus), published by Joseph Jacob von Plenck in Vienna around 1788 for Icones Plantarum Medicinalium. A refined eighteenth-century botanical illustration distinguished by its elegant composition, beautifully engraved rhizome, luminous yellow flower, selective gum arabic highlights and excellent state of preservation.

Original eighteenth-century botanical engraving depicting Kaempferia rotunda, published in Vienna by Joseph Jacob von Plenck for Icones Plantarum Medicinalium (Plate 5). The elegant composition combines broad architectural foliage, richly coloured crimson flowers and delicately modelled underground tubers, demonstrating the extraordinary refinement of Plenck's Viennese botanical school. Printed on fine Honig laid paper with visible "IV" watermark.

An elegant original botanical engraving depicting Iris florentina, delicately hand-coloured and published by Joseph Jacob von Plenck around 1788. Printed on original laid paper with visible plate mark and exceptionally refined colouring.

Original eighteenth-century botanical engraving depicting Iris tuberosa (Snake's Head Iris), published in Vienna by Joseph Jacob von Plenck for Icones Plantarum Medicinalium (Plate 38). This elegant composition combines two flowering specimens with finely engraved botanical details and a beautifully preserved complete Honig watermark. Contemporary hand colouring and selective gum arabic produce remarkable depth, while the velvety deep burgundy petals create one of the most refined colour harmonies within Plenck's celebrated Iris series.

Original eighteenth-century botanical engraving depicting Spigelia marilandica L., published in Vienna as Plate 89 of Joseph Jacob von Plenck's Icones Plantarum Medicinalium. The elegant composition is distinguished by its graceful vertical rhythm, brilliant scarlet tubular flowers and refined contemporary hand colouring on fine laid paper.

An original eighteenth-century botanical engraving depicting Iris germanica, published in Joseph Jacob von Plenck's celebrated Icones Plantarum Medicinalium. Printed on fine laid paper bearing the Honig watermark, the sheet combines scientific precision with the refined artistic craftsmanship of the Viennese botanical school.

Original eighteenth-century botanical engraving depicting Iris foetidissima (Stinking Iris), published in Vienna by Joseph Jacob von Plenck for Icones Plantarum Medicinalium (Plate 37). Finely engraved and beautifully hand-coloured, the composition illustrates the flowering plant together with its open seed capsule and brilliant orange seeds, combining scientific precision with exceptional decorative elegance. Printed on fine laid Honig paper with visible "IV" watermark and excellent contemporary hand colouring.

Original eighteenth-century botanical engraving depicting Ilex aquifolium L., the common holly, published in Vienna as Plate 72 of Joseph Jacob von Plenck’s Icones Plantarum Medicinalium. The composition combines sharply articulated evergreen foliage, delicate pink flowers, brilliant red fruits and separate botanical details, preserved on fine laid paper with a visible partial “IV” watermark.

Original eighteenth-century botanical engraving depicting Crocus sativus L., the true saffron crocus, published in Vienna as Plate 32 of Joseph Jacob von Plenck's Icones Plantarum Medicinalium. This elegant composition celebrates one of history's most valuable medicinal and culinary plants through refined hand colouring, exceptional botanical clarity and beautifully preserved eighteenth-century laid paper.