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Ludwig, Prince of Anhalt. Der Fruchtbringenden Gesellschaft Nahmen, Vorhaben, Gemählde und Wörter: nach jedes Einnahme ordentlich in Kupfer gestochen und in achtzeilige Reimgesetze verfasset... Frankfurt, M. Merian, (1617-1628-) 1646. 4 parts in one volume. 4to (195 x 150mm). With 4 engraved frontispieces and 400 engraved plates.
First
and only edition; a rare and attractive work, the only
florilegium by the famous topographical artist and engraver
Matthias Merian, the father of Maria Sybilla Merian. Whereas many
of the plates he published were not engraved by him, in this
instance he was responsible for every plate. Each depicts a
single flower, fruit or tree set against a backgound of German
towns, countrysides, and gardens. "This book shows the
emblems and devices of the members of a Society founded in
Germany in 1617 with the object of promoting not only human
virtues, honesty and courtesy, but also to support, purify and
improve the German language. Each member was given as an emblem a
plant, flower, tree, or bush and all the 400 plates show this,
each in a different landscape background. The initials of each
member are printed at the bottom of each plate. The author was
the Prince of Anhalt, whose emblem 'Der Nährende' is shown
on plate 2. The book is therefore really a fine 17th century
herbal and is certainly one of the most beautiful engraved books
of the 17th century" (Praz). 'Neben seiner eminenten
historischen Bedeutung ist das Buch eines der schönsten
deutschen Kupferwerke des 17. Jhdts' (Wolfskehl). A mint copy,
the best copy one could possibly find with strong impressions to
the plates. Nissen BBI, 1343; Wüthrich II, 22. |
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