BARTSCH (Adam von). - Lot 37

BARTSCH (Adam von). Catalog raisonné de l'œuvre d'estampes de Martin de Molitor, peintre et dessinateur de paysages, membre de l'académie des beaux-arts à Vienne. Nuremberg: J. F. Frauenholz et Comp. 1813. - In-12, Bradel-style marbled paper boards, smooth spine, yellow edges (contemporary binding). Very rare first edition of the catalog raisonné of the engraved works of the Austrian painter Martin von Molitor (1759-1812), written by the writer and engraver Adam von Bartsch (1757-1821), first keeper of the Imperial Library in Vienna and member of the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts (1803-1821). Copy on strong wove paper, from the library of the art historian and dealer Johann Andreas Börner, with his autograph signature "J. A. Boerner" on the title. Born in Nuremberg on March 16, 1785, and died on February 22, 1862, Börner was "one of the most eminent specialists in the field of graphic arts, who, although he left no personal writings, not only gave a significant impulse to the scientific treatment of the history of woodcuts, copper engravings, etc., but also provided the main material for the works published in this field during his lifetime. After a careful education, destined by his parents for the profession of merchant, he entered the art and publishing trade of Frauenholz [...] he (then) devoted himself entirely to his studies in the modest position of auctioneer of books and works of art" (Eye, August von, "Börner, Johann Andreas" in: Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie 3 (1876), pp. 174-175 [online version]; URL: https://www.deutsche-biographie.de/pnd116224959.html#adbcontent). The copy is enriched with numerous notes, presumably in his own hand, and with an addition of 10 pages, probably also autograph, at the end, forming a supplement to the catalog. He has also entered prices, specifying in the margin on page 10: "Most of the plates engraved by Mr. de Molitor belong to the collection of Sigismond Bermann, art dealer in Vienna. I have indicated the price of each piece in monnoye de convention according to the publisher's catalog published in 1832." Also mounted at the head is a fine autograph letter signed by Adam von Bartsch, 1 page in-4, dated Vienna July 24, 1812, in German, concerning the work. The title and verso are also stamped "Fürstliche Hofbibliothek Donaueschingen", i.e. the Library of the Princely Court of Donaueschingen, a large part of whose prestigious collection was put up for sale between 1980 and 2001. A very well preserved copy. Provenance: Johann Andreas Börner, with his signature on the title. - Library of the Princely Court of Donaueschingen, with stamp on title and verso.