Included in this lot:

Grasshoper or Locusts
Spider, Locust, Butterfly
Insect
Beetle, Praying Mantis, Locust, Cicada


Description of the work:

This attractive originally hand-colored engraving is from Friedrich Justin Bertuch's Bilderbuch fur Kinder enthaltend eine angenehme Sammlung von Thieren, Pflanzen, Blumen, Fruchten, Mineralien, Trachten und allerhand andern unterrichtenden Gegenst?nden aus dem Reiche der Natur, der K?nste und Wissenschaften. The work was published by Industrie-Comptoir between 1792 and 1810 in Weimar, Germany. The work was considered one of the finest natural history encyclopedias made for children. The engravings were done by Ludwig Ebner, C. Ermer, Theodor G?tz, Ludwig Hess, Conrad Horney, J.B. Hoessel, C., G. Starcke, and more under the direction of Melchior Kraus and Johann Heinrich Lips.

"Without a doubt, Bertuch's picture book is one of the greatest works that the children's book collector will encounter ... This is where modern, scientific thinking begins, the determination with which modern non-fiction is anticipated in children's books. In addition, it is one of the most precious treasures of the Collector's illustrated books." (E. Strobach in Philobiblon XIII, 255 ff.) As Bertuch stated in his introduction, "A picture book is just as essential and even more indispensable a meuble for a nursery as the cradle, doll or hobbyhorse."

The work was many-varied in what it illustrated. In "the 1100 panels not only contain the objects and areas listed in the title, they also contain curiosities such as the seven wonders of the world, mythical animals, a bullfight in Spain, horse races in England, microscopic views of animals and various objects, the telescope from Herschel, a diving bell, the telegraph in Paris, the Degen flying machine from Vienna and much more besides: the abundance of knowledge and direct visual aids, the care that is focused on the largest and the smallest, on the strangest and the everyday is used is astonishing and corresponds to the seemingly modern psychological-pedagogical considerations, as the author makes in the preliminary report." (European children's books from the 15th to the 19th century 137-137a)

Friedrich Justin Bertuch (1747-1822) studied theology and law, and was a poet, playwright, translator, publisher, and naturalist. He became a successful publisher with his firm in Weimar, Germany becoming the largest employer of that town. Bertuch's work was inspired by that of Bloch, Jablonsky, Merian, Esper, Ellis, and more.


Paper Size: ~ 8" by 9 1/2"


Paper Type or Special Features: Originally Hand-colored Engraving

The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.