Johann Wilhelm Weinmann (1683-1741) – German pharmacist and botanist
Phytanthoza-Iconographia, oder Eigentliche Vorstellung ... gesammleter Pflantzen, Bäume, Stauden, Kräuter, Blumen, Früchten und Schwämme (e)tc. ...
First edition of the four parts in four monumental bindings
Published by Lentz and Neubauer in Regensburg, 1737-45
Printed by Bartholomäus Seuter (1678-1754), in cooperation with the engravers Johann Elias Ridinger (1698-1767) and Johann Jacob Haid (1704-1767)
With engraved frontispiece and two engraved portraits in mezzotint and blue-printing
1,025 color engraved plates with 4,000 illustrations of plants and herbs
Four original splendid bordeaux bindings with rich board decorations and gilt-tooling
Dimensions of large folio volumes: each 41 x 27 x 10 cm, together 40 cm wide
Complete and well-preserved copy
For this precious botanic baroque work a new printing method, the so-called 'English color printing' was used for the first time to this extent
Object is regular taxed. 7% VAT is added to the purchase price for deliveries within the EU.

These four splendid volumes contain the first edition of this remarkably vast and appealing baroque botanic work. The title 'Phytanthoza-Iconographia' means something to the effect of 'Visual Description of Plants and Flowers'. The drawings of around 4,000 flowers, plants and herbs were supplied by the artist Georg Dionysos Ehret. The plates were made by the Augsburg painter Bartholomäus Seuter (1678-1754) in cooperation with the engravers Johann Elias Ridinger (1698-1767) and Johann Jacob Haid (1704-1767). Clients were offered the work on subscription basis and received fifty plates every year over a period of ten years.

Seuter applied a completely new printing method for this work, for which he had received the privilege in 1734. It was a combination of etching and mezzotint, printing with natural colors. This allowed fine lines and subtle textures. The new method still had some shortcomings, which had to be compensated by a careful coloring and retouching by hand. This combination of print and manual labor resulted in unusually subtle effects. This was also one of the reasons why the work's complete printing process took several years.

Illustration

One engraved frontispiece, two engraved portraits in mezzotint and blue printing as well as 1,025 color engraved plates with around 4,000 illustrations of plants, flowers and herbs. 13 double-page plates, two folding. Dimensions of leaves: 40 x 24.2 cm. Dimensions of plates: around 32.5 x 21 cm.

Collation

Volume I: 2 titles in German and Latin, 3 leaves admonition and a poem by Weinmann praising the artists, 9 leaves preface by A. Haller, 200 pages main work, title included in pagination, 12 leaves register), 19 leaves index. Volume II: 2 title, 516 pages. Volume III: 2 titles, 488 pages. Volume IV: 2 titles, 540 pages. The volumes are complete.

Condition

In very good original condition. Plates and text, especially in volumes I and IV, slightly somewhat foxed and browned in places. All in all well-preserved and fine copy with wide margins. Coppers in nice and fresh coloring. No tears or defective spots.

Binding

Splendid bordeaux bindings with rich board decorations and gilt-tooling. Three gilt edges. Six raised bands. Endpapers and pastedowns covered with splendid brocade paper. Well-preserved, however, with stronger traces of use. Spine and boards skilfully restored maintaining the original substance. Book blocks partly broken, binding firm and stable. Dimensions of each folio volume: 41 x 27 x 10 cm. Together 40 cm wide.

Johann Wilhelm Weinmann (1683-1741)

The German pharmacist and botanist Johann Wilhelm Weinmann received his education in Hamburg. In 1710 he settled in Regensburg and was active as pharmacist, in 1712 he acquired his own pharmacy. He dedicated himself to botany with great passion. In 1722 his own garden is said to have contained more than 9000 types of plants, which he used as models for his 'Phytanthoza-Iconographia'.

References

Nissen 2126; Pritzel 10140; Dunthorne 327; Plesch 806; De Belder 382; Johnston 388; Hunt 494: 'The work may be called the first successful botanical book using color-printed mezzotint.'

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