Antique Camphor Botanical Print, Laurus Camphora, Hand Colored, c.1831

€ 620

Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)

Date: 1831
Mapmaker / artist: Jonathan Carl Zenker, Germany, 1831–1832
Technique: Copper engraving with original hand coloring
Sheet size: 27.1 × 22.7 cm (10.7 × 8.9 in)
Condition: Good
Reference: BG-14181-23

What the condition grades mean

Excellent: Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good: Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good: Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair: Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.

Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.

Condition

Moderate age-related toning and minor surface dirt. No damage.

About this sheet

Antique Camphor Botanical Print, Laurus Camphora, Hand Colored, c.1831

This botanical engraving depicts Laurus Camphora, the camphor tree, valued for its aromatic resin and medicinal properties. Camphor played an important role in pharmaceutical, preservative, and industrial contexts during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Published in Zenker’s Merkantilische Waarenkunde, the plate reflects the scientific and commercial interest in plants used beyond food production. The composition emphasizes botanical structure and clarity, aligning with the practical aims of the publication.

Original hand coloring is restrained and precise, lending the image a calm and refined appearance. The plate appeals to collectors interested in medicinal botany, material culture, and early industrial trade.

Condition report:
Moderate age-related toning and minor surface dirt. No damage.

Framing tips:
A neutral linen or light gray mat with a dark wood frame suits the analytical character of the image.