Lot 1127

Trew & Ehret - Snake Lily or Paintbrush Lily [Haemanthus Colchici]. 44

Previous image preload Next image preload

Trew & Ehret - Snake Lily or Paintbrush Lily [Haemanthus Colchici]. 44

Estimate: $800 - $1,600

Starting Bid: $150

(0 Bids)

by Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
June 20, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
115 Hampsted Lane
Franklin, TN, US 37069

This elegant folio, botanical engraving is from Christoph Jakob Trew’s work Plantae Selectae. The work was published in Nuremberg in 1750. Georg Dionysius Ehret was the artist for the work and was considered one of the most influential artists in the world of botanical illustration. Ehret’s plates are both remarkable and scientifically accurate. The original hand-coloring was completed by J. J. Haid.

Plantae Selectae is one of the greatest of all eighteenth-century botanical books, drawn by the greatest of eighteenth-century botanical artists, George Dionysius Ehret. Linnaeus, wrote to Trew, in Latin, that "The miracles of our century in the natural sciences are your work of Ehret's plants...nothing to equal them was seen in the past or will be in the future."

Christoph Jakob Trew, a physician and botanist, had for a number of years been an admirer of Ehret's work. Ehret, a brilliant botanical artist, was unrivalled in his ability to "achieve realism, majesty, ineffable colour, all in one breathtaking look." (Hunt) Born in Heidelberg in 1710, he originally worked as a gardener and practised drawing in his spare time. His artistic abilities led him to the service of a Regensburg banker named Leskenkohl, and it was during this period that Trew met Ehret.

Trew was to remain a friend and patron of Ehret's throughout his life, and by 1742, the germ of what was to become the present publication was already under discussion when Trew wrote to Christian Thran in Carlsruhe "Every year I receive some beautifully painted exotic plants [by Ehret] and have already more than one hundred of them...."

Ehret moved to London in the late 1730s, where he painted the recently introduced exotics at the Chelsea Physic Garden and established himself as a teacher of flower-painting and botany. Discussions about the projected work continued by letter until 1748, when Johann Jacob Haid from Augsburg agreed to produce the engravings from Ehret's drawings.

  • Dimensions: ~ 14 7/8" by 21 1/2"
  • Literature: Plantae Selectae
  • Medium: Originally Hand-colored Engraving
  • Circa: 1750
  • Condition: The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or faint marks to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipping is handled within 1 business days of completed payment. If you have specific shipping requests or address changes, please contact us before completing payment so we are aware and can adjust the invoice if necessary. Shipping is billed directly after the sale. We typically ship via USPS, FedEx, or UPS on domestic shipments and with USPS, FedEx Connect, or UPS for international shipments. We calculate based on the total package weight and destination. All shipments are insured, though to provide this some services may be required when shipping outside of the United States. We're glad to provide quotes and options of services.

The buyer is responsible for paying the customs fees, duties, import taxes, and any related charges. Customs can cause delays in arrival of your shipment, which the seller has no control over. Please consider these charges and delays when making your purchase. If you need specific wording for customs, please also contact before payment as each country has different rules and we will try to accommodate when possible.

Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 15% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $5
$100 $299 $10
$300 $699 $25
$700 + $50