LOTICHIUS (Johann Peter). - Lot 19

LOTICHIUS (Johann Peter). Rerum Germanicarum, Sub Matthia, Ferdinandis II & III Impp. Gestarum, Libri LV... Frankfurt am Main: Wolfgang Hoffmann, 1646. - In-folio, 342 x 206: (20 ff.), 1154 pp, (13 ff.), 59 plates, 4 maps. Hard parchment, spine ribbed (modern imitation binding). First edition of the only volume of the two that make up this history of the Emperors Ferdinand II and III. The second volume appeared in 1650. The author of this work was the German physician, poet, humanist and historiographer Johann Peter Lotichius (1598-1669). In this first volume, divided into fifty-five books, he describes the period from 1617 to 1632, corresponding to the start of the 30 Years' War. The illustrations include an allegorical frontispiece, a title vignette, a full-page portrait of the author engraved on copperplate by Sebastian Furck (1598?-1655?) after Daniel Heinsius, three figures in the text, eight plates with twelve portraits of historical figures, four double-page maps and 55 plates (53 double-page and one fold-out) featuring plans, views and depictions of battles. Most of these fine plates were executed by Matthaüs Merian (1593-1650). Copy in imitation early 20th-century binding, FROM ADOLF HITLER'S CHALET in Berchtesgaden, entered by Leclerc's armored troops on May 4, 1945. It bears the signed stamp of the "Second Armored Division" on the first white cover, with this note: "This item comes from Adolphe Hitler's personal collection at the Berghof. Berchtesgaden 4-5-1945. For authentication." Other provenances can be found on the frontispiece and title. In 1676, the copy was given to Sieur Gaspard von den Heubel, canon of Cynopolis, with this ex-dono on the title: "Dono Reverendi Domini Gasparis von den Heubel canonici Cynensis 30 junii 1676" (Gift to the Reverend Sieur Gaspard von den Heubel canon of Cynopolis, June 30, 1676). In the 18th century, it was the property of the library of Le Mans, with this handwritten bookplate on the frontispiece: "Bibliothecae Cenomensis 1749" (Library of Le Mans 1749), and this other bookplate on the title: "De Loose Abbatis cenomanensis" (De Loose, abbot of Le Mans). Two other notes are present at the top of the frontispiece, one of which seems to read: "C Domet Decani. Black marks on the second plate. The plate between pages 318 and 319 is slightly cut at the edges. Tear at the fold of the plate between pages 560 and 561, with damage to the engraving. Occasional heavy foxing, as in all copies consulted. Light but not severe staining at the top of the leaves. Provenance: Gaspard von den Heubel canon of Cynopolis, with ex-dono on the title. - Bibliothèque du Mans, with bookplate on frontispiece. - De Loose, abbé du Mans, with bookplate on title. - Adolphe Hitler, with stamp of the Second Armored Division.