Specimens of Woodcuts and Engravings: A Portfolio of Original Leaves Taken from Rare and Notable Illustrated Books
Notes: A "loose leaf book", issued in a paper clamshell box with original examples of printed book illustrations, each laid into a paper folder with a brief printed description on the front. An introductory leaf of text by the editor is laid into the box as well. The contents of this set varies somewhat from copy to copy.
The present set includes leaves from:
1) Chronicarum Supplementum by Bernardinus de Benalis, Venice, 1486. Woodcut of a city;
2) Hortus Sanitatis printed by Reinhard Beck, Strasbourg, 1517. Two woodcuts of plants; one labeled "dodder" in ink, with a manuscript annotation;
3) Las Quatorze Decadas de Tito Livio, printed by George Coci at Zaragoza, 1520. Woodcut of a battle scene of knights on horseback;
4) Biblia Picturis Illustrata printed by Pierre Regnault in Paris, 1540. Acts 8–9: woodcut of men on horses;
5) De Aquatilibus by Pierre Belon, printed in Paris by Charles Stephanus, 1553. Woodcut of a fish;
6) Cosmographia Universalis by Sebastian Munster, Basel, 1559. Bird's-eye map of Zurich(?);
7) Symbolicarum Quaestionum de Universo Genere by Achille Bocchi. Bologna, 1574. Engraving by Giulio Bonasone titled "Inanis est infructuosa gloria";
8) Roman Missal, Venice, 1576. Small woodcut of Jesus(?) preaching;
9) Livy in German, Strasbourg, 1596. Woodcut by Tobian Stimmer;
10) An Illustrated History of the Dacian Wars by Trajan, Rome, 1616. Folio-sized engraving;
11) Nuova Seconda Selva, Venice, 1616. Woodcut of an amorous couple;
12) A book of rituals of the Anglican church printed in London by Robert Barker, 1639. Decorative initial (NB: Barker also printed the first King James Bible);
13) Virorum Illustrium, Prague, 1674. Engraving by G. de Groos;
14): True Effigies of the Most Eminent Painters. Antwerp, 1649. Self-portrait of Jean Baptiste van Deynum, engraved by Robert Smith;
15) La Sicilia di Filippo Paruta. Lyon, 1697. Engravings of coins.
The printed label on the top of the clamshell box describes this issue in the Foliophiles series of leaf boxes as, "A portfolio of original leaves taken from rare and notable printed books. Apart from their picturesque qualities and historic interest, these specimens will prove of great value in showing the rise and decline, first of the woodcut and later of the copper engravings. Though complete in itself, this portfolio is one of a series covering the world's literature from earliest times to the present day."
The clamshell box measures 10 by 13 inches, with the folders inside just slightly smaller.
Edition + Condition: A complete set, with all leaves and the introductory text, laid into the publisher's paper-covered folding clamshell case with paper labels. Outer joint of the box cracked at the spine, but generally very good. This is no. 12 of 120 sets.
Publication: New York: Society of Foliophiles, 1926.
Item No: #362938
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