Voghtherr, Ein Frembds und wunderbars Kunstbüchlin allen Molern, Strassburg, 1538, modern black morocco by Cuzin

Vogtherr, Heinrich. Ein Frembdsundwunderbars Kunstbüchlin allen Molern, Bild schnitzern, Goldschmiden, Steinmetzen, Schreinern, Platnern, Waffen und Messerschmiden hochnutzlich zu gebrauchen. Strassburg: Heinrich Vogtherr, 1538

First edition of Heinrich Vogtherr's popular model book, comprising some 700 designs of headwear, hands and feet, armour and weaponry, column bases and capitals. The woodcuts of heads, hands and feet are shown from various different angles and the headgear includes contemporary and historical costume, including some Ottoman-style portraits; Vogtherr also displays an interest in physiognomy.

Heinrich Vogtherr the Elder (1490-1556) was a German printer, writer, religious radical and prolific creator of woodcuts. He produced this work, alongside his son Heinrich Vogtherr the Younger, with the intention that it would be of use to artists, painters, goldsmiths, embroiderers and other craftsmen. In the preface Vogtherr expresses that this work was produced in response to concerns about the state of the "refined and liberal arts" and the availability of artistic patronage following the Reformation, coupled with a desire for the German Nation to be considered as producing art and artists of the highest level.

This highly successful work resulted in seven more editions by 1572, including Dutch, French, Spanish and Latin versions. RARE: USTC records just three copies (Berlin, Dresden and Sélestat).

4to (180 x 149 mm). Gothic type. collation: A-G⁴: 28 leaves. Woodcut white-on-black medallion portraits of Heinrich Vogtherr the Younger and Elder dated 1537 on title page, 2-page preface with woodcut device, around 700 woodcut illustrations over 51 pages. (Very occasional minor spotting.)

binding: Early twentieth-century crushed black/brown morocco by Cuzin (188 x 158 mm), dentelles, edges gilt. (Joints very slightly rubbed.)

provenance: Edmond Foulc (1828-1916), bookplate (his library bought by Pierpont Morgan and then put up for sale), Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 3 June 1914, lot 377 — Philip Hofer (1898-1984, librarian and collector), bookplate, and his notes on flyleaf stating that he acquired it from Thomas (Thomas-Scheler?) in Paris, 4 April 1938 — [Ars Libri, sold in 1983 to] — Arthur and Charlotte Vershbow, bookplate, sale, Christie's, London, 10 April 2013, lot 344. acquisition: Purchased at the preceding sale. references: Fairfax Murray, German 428; VD16 V 2179