Johann Leonard Frisch | Vorstellung der Vögel Deutschlandes, [1736]-63, 2 vols, contemporary marbled calf

Johann Leonard Frisch and Ferdinand Helfreich Frisch

Vorstellung der Vögel Deutschlandes und beyläufig auch einiger Fremden; nach ihren Eigenschaften beschreiben. Berlin: Friedr. Wilhelm Birnsteil, [1736]-1763

FIRST EDITION, 2 volumes, folio (375 x 230mm.), engraved portrait frontispiece, 24 divisional titles, 255 hand-coloured engraved plates by and after Ferdinand Helfreich Frisch, Philipp Jakob Frisch (the author's sons), and Johann Christoph Frisch (the author's grandson), contemporary marbled calf, covers with ropework and greek key borders gilt, flat spines gilt in 7 compartments, red morocco labels, edges gilt, blue endpapers, unobtrusive inkstamp at foot of title

A FINE COPY OF "A RARE CLASSIC" (Wood). Because of the lengthy publication period, copies of this work tend to vary in their makeup. Frisch (1666-1743), was made a member of the Society of Sciences in 1706, on the recommendation of Leibniz. Prior to this, in a varied life, he had been an academic, a minister, and had fought as a dragoon. Among other things, he is credited by some for the invention of the colour Prussian blue. After his death in 1743 the Vorstellung was completed by his two sons and his grandson.

The first and final titles in this copy are both dated 1763 and one divisional title is dated 1743.

LITERATURE:

Anker 155; Fine Bird Books, p. 76; McGill/Wood, p. 349

PROVENANCE:

National Bibliothek in Wien, discreet duplicate stamp at end of each volume