Biblical Botany Journal — Thomas C. Jack 1850 Bible Natural History Chromolithographs McFarlane & Erskine Notebook

Carry the sacred flora of Scripture — when Thomas C. Jack and the Edinburgh printers McFarlane & Erskine united Victorian botanical science with biblical scholarship to document forty plants that witnessed the stories of prophets, kings, and the birth of faith.

In 1850, Edinburgh publisher Thomas C. Jack released Bible Natural History — a landmark Victorian botanical work documenting the flora mentioned throughout Scripture, printed by the renowned firm McFarlane & Erskine using the chromolithographic technique that defined 19th-century scientific illustration at its most refined. The publication represented the characteristic Victorian ambition to unite faith and natural science: to help readers visualize the agricultural, medicinal, and symbolic significance of the plants woven throughout the Old and New Testaments, from Genesis to Revelation. This distinguished hardcover journal brings together two chromolithograph plates from the series — Plate III on the front, a companion plate on the back — documenting forty biblical species in total.

Front Cover — Plate III: Twenty Trees, Herbs & Shrubs of the Bible, 1850:
The front cover presents a magnificent chromolithograph showcasing twenty trees, herbs, and shrubs from Scripture, each numbered and rendered in vivid botanical color. The Cedar of Lebanon, used to build Solomon's Temple; the Olive, symbolizing the new covenant and anointing; the Hyssop, used in purification rituals; the Pomegranate, representing the fertility of the Promised Land; the Vine, central to wine production and parable; the Sycamore Fig, climbed by Zacchaeus; the Palm, symbolizing triumph; the Almond, signifying divine approval; the Myrtle, prized for its fragrant leaves; the Balm of Gilead, valued for its medicinal properties; and the Thorn, associated with Christ's crown — each species is documented with the botanical accuracy prized by Victorian naturalists while honoring its spiritual significance in Scripture.

Back Cover — Twenty Additional Biblical Plants, McFarlane & Erskine, Edinburgh, 1850:
The back cover presents a companion chromolithograph depicting twenty additional biblical species: Wheat and Barley, the staple grains of ancient agriculture; Willow; Spikenard, the precious anointing oil used by Mary of Bethany; Lily; Mustard, referenced in Christ's parables of the Kingdom; Flax, source of linen for priestly garments; Myrrh, gift of the Magi; Mandrake; Aloes; Wormwood; and Thistle. Together, the two covers create a comprehensive visual reference to forty species that appear throughout Scripture — a complete botanical companion to the Bible rendered with Victorian chromolithographic precision.

Why This Journal Inspires:

• Forty trees, herbs, and shrubs of the Bible documented across two chromolithograph plates — from the Cedar of Lebanon to the Mustard seed of the parables
• Rare 1850 chromolithographs by Edinburgh's prestigious McFarlane & Erskine printing house — Victorian botanical science at its most refined
• A tangible connection to the Victorian tradition of biblical natural history, when faith and science converged in the study of Scripture's flora
• The perfect companion for biblical study notes, botanical observations, theological reflections, or creative writing

Product Details:

• Format: Hardcover lined journal
• Pages: 150 perforated lined pages for easy removal
• Binding: Casewrap sewn binding
• Dimensions: 5.5 × 8.5 inches
• Weight: Approximately 400g
• Cover: Matte laminated full-wrap print

Perfect For:

• Biblical scholars, theology students, and devotional readers
• Botanists and herbalists interested in historical and sacred plant identification
• Gardeners cultivating biblical or heritage plants
• Victorian natural history and chromolithograph collectors
• Gift for anyone captivated by the intersection of faith, science, and botanical art
• Students and educators of 19th-century natural history illustration

Carry the sacred flora of Scripture — where McFarlane & Erskine's chromolithographic precision gave Victorian readers their first true botanical vision of the Holy Land.

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Care instructions: Use a soft, clean and dry cloth to gently brush any dust or dirt off from the center of book outwards.