Lot n° 97
Estimation :
2500 - 3500
EUR
Result with fees
Result
: 3 750EUR
WEIGEL (Christoph). - Lot 97
WEIGEL (Christoph).
Abbildung der gemein-nützlichen Haupt-Stände Von denen Regenten Und ihren So in Friedens- als Kriegs-Zeiten zugeordneten Bedienten an, biß auf alle Künstler Und Handwercker.
Regensburg [Regensburg]: Christoph Weigel, 1698. - In-4, 199 x 158: frontispiece, (7 ff.), 684 pp. misquoted 676, (1 f.), 211 (of 212) plates. Stiff parchment, smooth spine with title, floral design and date in later ink, marbled edges (period binding).
Much sought-after first edition of this famous work by the German engraver and publisher Christoph Weigel (1654-1725). It is a first-rate source on the main trades and crafts at the end of the 17th century.
The work is divided into twenty-four parts or divisions, each relating to a category of trades. Beginning with six trades or functions of state (regent, lawyer, civil servant, etc.), the trades of arms (soldiers, cannon smelter, powder-maker, etc.), the navy (sailor, mast-maker, anchor forger, etc.), education, the arts and crafts, and the arts and crafts of the time are described.), education, medicine, commerce, "glorious exercises" (master of arms, dancing master, ball master, etc.), arts, music, printing, jewelry and goldsmithing, brass work, carpentry, etc., etc.
An important feature of this book is its rich illustration, where each trade described has an engraving representing it, featuring one or more practitioners.
The copies that can be found are often incomplete. This one includes a frontispiece and two hundred and eleven plates out of the two hundred and twelve required. The only missing plate is the one depicting the hatter's trade, which should be found between pages 600 and 601. Of these two hundred and eleven plates, two hundred and ten show trades and one shows a series of keys (page 355). Each figure is surmounted by a diptych and followed by an epigram.
The engravings are generally unsigned except for a few that bear the name of the Dutch draftsman and engraver Caspar Luyken (1672-1708). They are in fact inspired by those of the collection entitled Het Menselyk Bedryf (The Book of Trades) published in 1694 and which included one hundred figures by Jan and Caspar Luyken.
A good copy in contemporary binding. The title and the finial on the spine are later.
Small tears at the head cover, some soiling and stains on the boards and spine. Scattered foxing. Worm work in the inner margin of several leaves weakening the spine seams in the center of the book. The plate between pages 466 and 467 has been reassembled.
My orders
Sale information
Sales conditions
Return to catalogue