Banks' Florilegium - Fake or Fortune?

The best way to ensure your Banks' Florilegium is genuine is to buy it unframed.

Pictured above is a fake on the left and a genuine Banks' Florilegium on the right. It can be almost impossible to identify a genuine article once the piece is framed.

On a genuine Banks' Florilegium you will see -

1) The sheet of paper on which the image is printed measures 28 1/2" x 21" (724mm x 556mm).

2) The indented (not printed) plate-mark, measuring 18" x 12".

3) The rich, cream-coloured matte paper is watermarked AHE. The paper is not white or glossy.

4) The engraving is protected within a titled, double-fold sheet of the same paper which has been cut to form a window mount.

5) The engraving is embossed with the signatures of the two publishers, the Welsh Dragon of the Master Printer, the copyright symbol and the year of publication.

6) The plate and edition number together with the initials of the printer responsible for the particular print are recorded in pencil.

7) The colours of the pigment ink are rich and vibrant. The ink sits on top of the matte paper and you can feel the ink if you gently run your finger across the surface of the print.