Abecedarium. German.

8vo (158 x 98mm.), ff. [8], title-page printed in red and black, illustration: 4 hand-coloured woodcut portraits and 2 hand-coloured woodcut illustrations on 3 leaves, full-page woodcut printer's device printed in red and black, woodcut initials, 2 hand-coloured woodcut illustrations as pastedowns, binding: contemporary blind-stamped calf incorporating medallions of church reformers (including Luther) on the upper cover and the crucifixion with the motto "halt in gedechtnis Iesum Christum. H V" on lower cover, clasp and catch, later paper spine label, worming, text block becoming loose, spine chipped, binding rubbed

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
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This attractive little Abecedarium, containing the usual alphabets and devotional pieces, also has two distinct, albeit brief, illustrative cycles. Four crude but charming cuts depict such occupations as mining and water divining. The more sophisticated set of four portraits portrays elite members of the Hapsburg dynasty. All are neatly and garishly coloured. The particular juxtaposition of Royals may help date the cuts if not necessarily this rare little volume itself, no other copy of which have we been able to locate. There was only a very narrow window when the four personalities presented were intimately connected: viz between 1708, when Elizabeth Christine married Charles and he assumed the Spanish throne until 1711 when Joseph died and Charles became Holy Roman Emperor. A date of around 1710 would therefore seem to be a reasonable supposition for the production of this Abecedarium.