School and family charts, No. XXII. Botanical-economical uses of plants (1890) print by Marcius Willson and Norman A. Calkins

School and Family Charts, No. XXII — Botanical–Economical Uses of Plants (1890) — Marcius Willson & Norman A. Calkins

A cabinet of curiosities on one page: fibers, dyes, grains, spices, timbers, medicines—each plant drawn with clear Victorian poise and paired to what it makes in the world. This handsome teaching chart turns botany into everyday life, where linen begins in a flax stalk and colour sleeps inside a root. Effortlessly decorative, quietly educational.

Why it captivates

• Science you can hang — clear, engaging visuals that explain at a glance.

• Victorian graphic charm — serif labels, orderly grids, and elegant lithography.

• Room-friendly palette — warm paper tones, inky lines, and natural colour tints.

• Conversation starter — links plants to textiles, food, medicine, and dye.

• Educational & decorative — perfect for kitchens, studies, libraries, and classrooms.

• Statement artwork — refined, intelligent focal point at generous scale.

What you’ll see

Neatly arranged botanical specimens and products: flax to linen, indigo and madder for dyes, cereals and spices, medicinal barks and leaves, hardwoods and resins—each figure numbered and captioned. Up close: crisp linework and tidy legends. From a step back: a harmonious grid that reads as both chart and art.

A richer historical frame

Produced in the late 19th century for the celebrated School and Family Charts series, this plate reflects a moment when classroom walls were galleries of practical knowledge. Willson and Calkins championed visual learning—bringing the chemistry of daily life into reach through clear images and concise text.

Choose your finish

🌟 Heavyweight Paper (160 gsm matte)
Archival, smooth matte ideal for framing under glass. Crisp detail, minimal glare.

💎 Laminated (True Encapsulation)
Sealed in 2 × 80-micron gloss laminate, edge-to-edge. Durable, wipe-clean—great for busy spaces.

🪵 Laminated + Timber Hang Rails (Ready to hang)
Lacquered natural timber rails with fitted hanging cord; no frame required.
Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed delivery.

🏆 Archival Canvas (395 gsm HP Professional Matte)
Museum-quality texture with pigment-based, fade-resistant inks for rich tone and fine detail.

🪵 Canvas + Timber Hang Rails (Gallery-ready)
As above, supplied with lacquered natural timber rails and hanging cord.
Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed delivery.

Size (W × H)

633 × 841 mm (approx. 24.92 × 33.11 in)

• Orientation: Portrait

• Aspect ratio: ~0.752 : 1

• Nearest standard frame: A0 portrait (841 × 1189 mm) with a custom mat

• Framing tips:

  • Classic: cut the mat window to ~629 × 837 mm for a neat 2–3 mm edge overlap.

  • Contemporary: float-mount within an A0 frame for a generous gallery reveal.

Custom sizing: Available on request (alternative aspect ratios or added white border).

Specifications

Who it’s for

• Natural-history lovers & educators

• Cooks, gardeners, and makers who love materials and origins

• Collectors & stylists curating informed, heritage-rich interiors

• Gift-givers celebrating new homes, classrooms, and studios

Our Commitment

Every print is produced locally in Australia on premium substrates with careful colour management, then hand-checked and packed so it arrives ready to impress. From studio to wall, we stand behind the craftsmanship and historical integrity of your piece.

Bring beautifully ordered knowledge to your space—order your fine-art print of Botanical–Economical Uses of Plants today.