Basilius Besler / Joachim Camerarius the Younger / Sebastian Schedel / Wolfgang Kilian - Hortus Eystettensis - 1613-1640

BEAUTIFUL ANTIQUE HAND COLOURED ENGRAVING OF "HORTUS EYSTETTENSIS" by Basilius Besler (1561–1629). This magnificent first edition of botany was published in 1613 in two versions, one with text on a separate page, and another with the text on the reverse, like this original copper engraving, which has large dimensions H 560 x W 440 mm or 22.1 by 17.3 inches, wide original margins intact, and with hand coloring in a later period. The cataloging of the flower and the text on the back is in Latin and German. The first edition was limited to 300 copies. This 17th-century print was delicately engraved and has a tactile quality that is emphasized by the laid paper texture, raised linework, and platemark.

AUTHOR: Basilius Besler (1561–1629) was a respected Nuremberg apothecary and botanist, best known for this monumental botanical atlas (HORTUS EYSTETTENSIS) and artistically cataloged the flowering contents of the Eichstätt garden, cultivated by Prince Bishop Johann Konrad von Gemmingen in his Bavarian residence, this garden boasted local and exotic flora from across the known world. Although Besler is always cited as the author of the Hortus Eystettensis, it's more correct to say that he was the publisher since it was he who took on the responsibility of engaging the services of artists, engravers, printers, and colourists. To complete the documentation, the photo of the title of the work is also published (but not included with the sale of this print).

ARTISTS & ENGRAVERS: The life drawings were made by Joachim Camerarius the Younger (1534–1598) and Sebastian Schedel (1570-1628), the first burin plates were engraved by Wolfgang Kilian (1581-1662) and assistants, the hand coloring was commissioned to Nuremberg colorist Georg Mack and his family, the botanical descriptions are finally owed, at least in part, to Ludwig Jungermann (1572-1653). The volume has three editions, the first in 1613 in two versions, one with text on the reverse and another one with text on a separate sheet and watermarked paper, the second in 1640, the third scheduled for 1713 for the centenary it was actually executed in 1750. Beautiful example on heavy laid paper with chain lines, with text on the reverse and posthumous colouring.

TITLE & DESCRIPTION: this print illustrates 3 plants; I. Chirstus flore albo. II. Balaustium flor minori Romanum. III. Cotinus. Strong impression with fine colour, with original wide margin around the plate edge, a slight trace of horizontal crease in the center, 3-4 nicks of 2-3 mm only on the outer edges of the laid paper, outside of the illustrations and text, the print is in very good condition as shown in the photos. Beautiful detailed engraving drawn with great skill.

REFERENCES: Nissen BBI 158; Pritzel 745; Hunt 430 (1713 edition); Blunt, pp 95-97; Stafleu & Cowan 497; L. Tongiorgi Tomasi Oak Spring Flora 11; Baier, Hortus Eystettensis (in: Aus d. Antiquariat 1970, 11. S. 273 ff.); Hollstein / German engravings, etchings and woodcuts c.1400-1700 (448); Hortus Eystettensis: zur Gechichte eines Gartens und einer Buches (Schriften der Universitätsbibliothek Erlangen-Nürnberg 20), Munich: 1989; The Garden at Eichstätt, The Book of Plants by Basilius Besler. Intro. by Klaus Walter Littger. Cologne, London, etc: [1999]; Nicholas Barker, 'Hortus Eystettensis: The Bishop's Garden and Besler's Magnificent Book', London, 1994; M.P.Sorensen, 'Le livre de botanique XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles', Paris, 2008, pp.20ff.

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