Joseph Banks' Florilegium: Botanical Treasures from Cook's First Voyage

Winner of the 2017 ABC James A. Duke Excellence in Bontanical Literature Award

Shortlisted for the 2018 Apollo Awards Book of the Year

Joseph Banks accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage round the world from 1768 to 1771. A gifted and wealthy young naturalist, Banks collected exotic flora from Madeira, Brazil, Tierra del Fuego, the Society Islands, New Zealand, Australia and Java, bringing back over 1300 species that had never been seen or studied by Europeans. On his return, Banks commissioned over 700 superlative engravings between 1772 and 1784. Known collectively as Banks' Florilegium, they are some of the most precise and exquisite examples of botanical illustration ever created.

The Florilegium was never published in Banks' lifetime, and it was not until 1990 that a complete set in colour was issued in a boxed edition (limited to 100 copies) under the direction of the British Museum (Natural History). It is from these prints that the present selection is made, directed by David Mabberley, who has provided expert botanical commentaries, with additional texts by art historian Mel Gooding, setting the works in context as a perfect conjunction of nature, science and art. An afterword by Joseph Studholme describes the history of the modern printing.

Review: 'Splendid ... much to enjoy for the general reader' - Apollo

'A stunning piece of history, art and botany in one' - The Field

'This magnificent modern compilation is quite breathtaking in its beauty and detail' - This England

'Beautifully crafted and lovingly presented ... a joy to behold' - The Garden, Royal Horticultural Society's magazine

'A feast of sensory delights' - Irish Examiner

'Monumental' - Financial Times, Summer Reads

'Breathtakingly beautiful ... readers of this florilegium are the beneficiaries of over two centuries of technical skills and artistic passion' - Sir Joseph Banks Society Magazine

'A timely reminder of the remarkable scientific achievements of that first, unique, never-to-be-repeated voyage of discovery' - Cook's Log