Herbarium vivum.

containing over 700 botanical specimens of flowers and herbs, with manuscript captions in Latin and German, the majority provided with original hand-coloured illustrations of their respective roots, bulbs, fruits and even plant beds, with a five-page manuscript preface to the "gentle reader" ("An denn Ginstigen Leser"), recording biographical details of the author and other works by him, manuscript indexes of Latin and German flower names, [9] and 215 leaves, plus blanks, folio (c.370 x 260mm), the specimens laid down, numerous later manuscript additions, pencil margins, blind-stamped pigskin over bevelled wooden boards, central stamp on upper cover depicting Jael and Sisera, that on lower cover Judith and Holofernes,  brass corner-pieces and clasps, no place or date, [South Germany, between 1594 and 1607?], lacking title and possibly some final leaves with colophon (?), some light worming and very light spotting to margins

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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A magnificent early herbarium - one of the earliest surviving German examples - with remarkable original watercolour additions.  

Although the title-page is lacking, references in the preface to other works by the author suggest that the compiler of this work was almost certainly the Latin schoolmaster Hieronymus Harder (1523-1607), active in Bregenz, the Württemburg localities of Geislingen and Überkingen, and elsewhere. Whether this hortus siccus is a known work by Harder, whose thirteen or so herbaria include the oldest preserved German examples, or an unkown example cannot be determined here.