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A Rare Set of Six George II Hand-Coloured Botanical Studies taken from the Gardeners Dictionary, published by Philip Miller. Five of these fine copper engravings were executed by John Miller (1715-1790) after drawings by Richard Lancake and dated 1757, the sixth is both drawn & engraved by John Miller and dated 1758. Each plate measures approximately13" x 8 " and set within an acid-free mat and a giltwood frame. Note: The dating of these plates would indicate they are most likely from the 6th edition of the Gardeners Dictionary as they predate the 7th edition which was published in 1759.

Philip Miller (1691-1771) was the principal horticulturalist in England during the mid 18th century, and as a long time curator of the Chelsea Physic Garden and an active member of the Society of Gardeners, he had the opportunity to interact with some of the most important naturalists of his day as well as some of the most gifted botanical artists of the period.

The Society of Gardeners was a trade union formed in 1724 by prominent horticulturalists of the time to protect the interests of plant sellers. One of the projects undertaken by the group was to create an illustrated guide to plants currently being grown in Britain. Philip Miller was chosen to organize the undertaking of the Gardener's Dictionary which was first published in 1731, and amongst those artists whose illustrations he used for his publications were Georg Ehret, Robert Furber, John Miller and Richard Lancake.

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