Sir Hans Sloane Collection

Cordia sebestena, geiger tree
Engraving from Natural History of Jamaica Tab 164 by Sir Hans Sloane. Held in the Botany Library at the Natural History Museum, London

Old Chelsea Church, recently restored, 1886. Creator: Unknown
Old Chelsea Church, recently restored, 1886. From " The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper Volume 33. January to June, 1886"

Hans Sloane (engraving)
815885 Hans Sloane (engraving) by Slaughter, Stephen (1697-1765); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753)

Sir Hans Sloane (engraving)
654222 Sir Hans Sloane (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sir Hans Sloane. Illustration from Old and New London by Edward Walford (Cassell, c 1880)

Portrait of Sir Hans Sloane, after the painting by Kneller (litho)
5206799 Portrait of Sir Hans Sloane, after the painting by Kneller (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Portrait of Sir Hans Sloane)

Sir Hans Sloane, from a print published in 1793 (engraving)
3636813 Sir Hans Sloane, from a print published in 1793 (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sir Hans Sloane, from a print published in 1793)

The origin and growth of The British Museum (engraving)
1064416 The origin and growth of The British Museum (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The origin and growth of The British Museum)

Monument to the memory of Sir Hans Sloane, Chelsea Church-yard, London (engraving)
6001116 Monument to the memory of Sir Hans Sloane, Chelsea Church-yard, London (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

British Museum (colour photo)
3095051 British Museum (colour photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: British Museum. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Chelsea with part of the Old Church, and Sir Hans Sloanes tomb (colour litho)
815389 Chelsea with part of the Old Church, and Sir Hans Sloanes tomb (colour litho) by Parrott, William (1813-69); Private Collection; (add.info.: Chelsea with part of the Old Church)

G. Edwards, (1694- 1773), 1830. Creator: Unknown
G. Edwards, (1694- 1773), 1830. George Edwards (1694- 1773) English naturalist and ornithologist, he studied natural history

The Natural History Museum, South Kensington, c1876. Creator: Unknown
The Natural History Museum, South Kensington, c1876. Victorian facade of the Natural History Museum by Gibbs and Canning Limited

British Museum, 2005. Creator: Ethel Davies
The front entrance to the British Museum, originally established by Sr Hans Sloane in 1759, the present building dating from 1857, including the Reading Room

Hans Sloane, English physician and naturalist. Sloane (1660-1753) founded the Chelsea Physic Garden. He was Secretary to the Royal Society from 1693-1713 and donated his library of 50

Sir Hans Sloane, English physician, naturalist and collector, c1793 (1878). Hans Sloane (1660-1753) is notable for bequeathing his collection to the nation

The Manor House at Chelsea, built by Henry VIII, c1810 (1911). King Henry VIII (1491-1547) moved to Chelsea in 1510. He began building his New Manor House, also known as Chelsea Palace in the 1540s

A letter letter from John, 1st Baron Somers, early 18th century, (1840). Artist: Sir Hans Sloane
Part of an original letter letter from John Somers, 1st Baron Somers, early 18th century, (1840). Letter from John, 1st Baron Somers, to Sir Hans Sloane

Part of a letter from John Locke to Sir Hans Sloane, late 17th-early 18th century, (1840). Artist: John Locke
Part of a letter from John Locke to Sir Hans Sloane, late 17th-early 18th century, (1840). View of the birthplace of John Locke, at Wrington, Somerset

Don Salteros Coffee House, Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, 1723, (1840). The exterior of Don Salteros Coffee House and Curiosity Museum by the River Thames, with signatures of its founder James Salter

The old physic garden, Chelsea, 1890. View of Chelsea Physic Garden with its statue of Hans Sloane, which was founded in 1673 as the Apothecaries Garden

Tumbling, 14th century, (1833). Man bending himself backwards in an extraordinary manner. The original is from the library of Sir Hans Sloane

Letter from John Locke to Hans Sloane, 2nd December 1699. Artist: John Locke
Letter from John Locke to Hans Sloane, 2nd December 1699. Letter from writer and philosopher John Locke to Dr (later Sir) Hans Sloane, physician, naturalist and founder of British Museum

Bird illustration
Tab 264 From Natural History of Jamaica (1725) by Sir Hans Sloane

Sapphire turban button
A rose-cut facetted deep-blue sapphire mounted in a button of quartz, inlaid with gold, rubies & emeralds. No 198 in the collection of Sir Hans Sloane

Chauliodus sloani, viperfish
A specimen of the viperfish (Chauliodus sloani). This is the first specimen to be examined by a naturalist and the only remaining spirit preserved fish from the Sloane collection

Hans Sloane, English physician and naturalist, 1753
Hans Sloane, English physician and naturalist. Sloane (1660-1753) founded the Chelsea Physic Garden. He was Secretary to the Royal Society from 1693-1713 and donated his library of 50

Hans Sloanes nautilus shell
Sir Hans Sloane is perhaps the most important collector ever. His huge collection forms the core of both the British Museum and the Natural History Museum

Statue of Sir Hans Sloane, 1660-1753, by Simon Smith, 2007, at Duke of Yorks Square, Chelsea, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Collection of beetles C016 / 5553
Cleection of beetles. Case containing beetles from the Joseph Dandridge and Petiver collections. Some have Hans Sloanes catalogue numbers. Natural History Museum, London, U.K

Benjamin Franklins asbestos purse. This purse, made from tremolite asbestos, was brought to the UK by 19-year-old future US statesman and scientist Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) in 1724

Map of the Western Ocean C013 / 6569
Map of the Western Ocean. Map from Voyage to Jamaica (1707-1725) by Sir Hans Sloane

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) plant C013 / 6570
Cocoa. Pressed leaves and artwork of the cocoa plant (Theobroma cacao), the source of chocolate. Leaves collected by the British naturalist Sir Hans Sloane (1660- 1753) in Jamaica

Botanical engravings
Engraving from Natural History of Jamaica Tab 166 by Sir Hans Sloane. Held in the Botany Library at the Natural History Museum, London

Shell and insect illustration
Table 240 From Natural History of Jamaica (1725) by Sir Hans Sloane

Beetle illustration
Table 237 of A Natural History of Jamaica (1725) by Sir Hans Sloane

Hans Sloane Vol. 211 page 29
Viola violacea Makino, Oxalis corniculata and Trachelospermum asiaticum Nakai. Specimens taken from Hans Sloane Vol.211 page 29

Butterfly illustration
Table 239 From Natural History of Jamaica (1725) by Sir Hans Sloane

Sir Hans Sloane (actor)
An actor in the Natural History Museum playing the part of Sir Hans Sloane, the 17th Century Naturalist

Theobroma cacao
Cocoa plant brought back from Jamaica in 1689 by Hans Sloane. Illustration by Everhardus Kickius. Specimen kept in the Botany Library

Drawer of botanical specimens from the Sir Hans Sloane collection. Held in the botany department at the Natural History Museum, London

Sir Hans Sloanes collection of shells
Plate 5 from Arhtur MacGregors Hans Sloane, 1994. Shell specimens showing Sir Hans Sloanes catalogue numbers

Various beetles and arachnids
Drawer of a selection of various entomological specimens from the Sloane Collection at the Natural History Museum, London

Theobroma cacao, cacao tree
A specimen from the collection of Sir Hans Sloane. The seeds of this plant - cocoa, are the source of chocolate

Chaptalia nutans, silverpuff
Chaptalia nutans specimen in the Sloane Herbarium taken from Jamaica

Virginia Locus Tree
Plate 10 from Sir Hans Sloanes Hortus Siccus. Fol. 3. Vol. 180. Part of the botanical collection of the Natural History Museum, London

Guzmania lingulata, scarlet star

Carved carnelian bowl
Carnelian is a transluscent yellow to orange variety of chalcedony (micro-crystalline quartz). This bowl was once the property of Sir Hans Sloane

Illustrated pages
From Sloanes Natural History of Jamaica published in 1725. Volume 2

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Sir Hans Sloane was a renowned figure in the field of natural history and medicine during the 17th and 18th centuries. Born in 1660, he made significant contributions to botany, particularly with his study of Cordia sebestena, also known as the Geiger tree. This vibrant plant caught his attention due to its striking orange flowers. In addition to his botanical pursuits, Sir Hans Sloane had a deep connection with Old Chelsea Church. The church underwent restoration in 1886, preserving its historical significance for future generations. An unknown artist captured this momentous occasion through an engraving that showcases the beauty of the restored church. Sloane's impact extended beyond his scientific endeavors; he left an indelible mark on society as well. His portrait by Kneller serves as a testament to his influence and accomplishments. A lithograph based on this painting further immortalizes him for posterity. The British Museum owes much of its origin and growth to Sir Hans Sloane's generosity and foresight. An engraving depicting this pivotal moment highlights how Sloane's vast collection became the foundation for one of the world's most prominent cultural institutions. Even after his passing in 1753, Sir Hans Sloane continued to be remembered and honored. A monument erected at Chelsea Church-yard stands as a tribute to this remarkable individual who forever shaped our understanding of science and culture. Today, visitors can explore both Sir Hans Sloanes tomb within Chelsea Churchyard through a colorful lithograph capturing Chelsea with part of the Old Church where he rests eternally. While many engravings depict Sir Hans Sloane himself or scenes related to him, such as G. Edwards' portrayal from 1830, they all serve as reminders of his immense legacy that continues to inspire scientists and historians alike. Finally, a color photograph showcasing The British Museum reminds us that without Sir Hans Sloanes vision and dedication towards collecting artifacts, this iconic institution would not exist in its current form.