
Close-ups
Framed and on the wall
Frame and rooms are illustrations of how the print could look; the description says what is included.
Antique Botanical Print of Nicotiana Rustica, Copper Engraving, c.1831
$870 (£660, €780)
Period original, not a reproduction.
Shipped from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked, worldwide. Returns accepted within 14 days.
- Date
- 1831
- Size
- 10.7 × 8.9 in (27.1 × 22.7 cm)
- Condition
- Good. Moderate age-related toning and light spotting. Image remains strong.
- Period
- Early 19th century
- Section
- Botanical
- Reference
- f_48099552
- Colour
- Hand coloured
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.
Antique Tobacco Botanical Print, Nicotiana rustica, c.1831
Description:
This original botanical engraving depicts Nicotiana rustica, a robust tobacco species traditionally cultivated for its high nicotine content. The plant is shown with broad leaves and pale yellow flowers, emphasizing its agricultural character.
Published in Jonathan Carl Zenker’s Merkantilische Waarenkunde, the plate documents a tobacco variety of practical and economic importance, widely used in snuff and traditional preparations rather than luxury consumption.
Original hand coloring is deep and restrained, with rich greens dominating the composition. The broad leaves give the plate strong visual weight, making it particularly effective as a standalone work.
Condition report:
Moderate age-related toning and light scattered spotting. No tears or losses.
Framing tips:
A soft ivory mat and dark wood frame enhance contrast and structure.
Technique: Copper engraving with original hand coloring
Maker: Jonathan Carl Zenker, Germany, 1831–1832
















