![BRUNFELS, Otto (c. 1489-1534). Herbarum vivae eicones [Novii herbarii tomus II; Tomus herbarii III], volume III edited by Michael Heer. Strassburg: Johann Schott, 1532-1536.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2002/CKS/2002_CKS_06605_0163_000(045103).jpg?w=1)
Details
BRUNFELS, Otto (c. 1489-1534). Herbarum vivae eicones [Novii herbarii tomus II; Tomus herbarii III], volume III edited by Michael Heer. Strassburg: Johann Schott, 1532-1536.
3 volumes in one, 2° (326 x 200mm). Titles of volumes I-II with woodcut borders, woodcut arms of Strassburg printed on A4v of volume I, 2 other leaves with historiated woodcut borders. 239 woodcut illustrations, those in the first two volumes by Hans Weiditz. Volume II partly interleaved. (Upper margins damaged by damp almost throughout, particularly affecting title to volume I and following 10 leaves which are restored with very slight loss.) Contemporary calf tooled in blind with a diaper pattern (rebacked, covers restored). Provenance: occasional early marginalia.
Second edition of volume I, first editions of volumes II-III. Weiditz, who is commemorated in a poem on A4v, was the first botanical illustrator to be known by name. Although Brunfel's text was an old-fashioned compendium, this botanical work broke new ground with its realistic and easily recognisable illustrations of plants. Weiditz characteristically includes the root of the plant, as well as the stem, leaves, flowers and fruit. Volume III, published after Brunfel's death, was illustrated by other artists, but in a similar manner. Adams B-2924; Grolier/Horblitt 33a; Norman 361; Nissen BBI 257, 257, IIa and 257, III.
3 volumes in one, 2° (326 x 200mm). Titles of volumes I-II with woodcut borders, woodcut arms of Strassburg printed on A4v of volume I, 2 other leaves with historiated woodcut borders. 239 woodcut illustrations, those in the first two volumes by Hans Weiditz. Volume II partly interleaved. (Upper margins damaged by damp almost throughout, particularly affecting title to volume I and following 10 leaves which are restored with very slight loss.) Contemporary calf tooled in blind with a diaper pattern (rebacked, covers restored). Provenance: occasional early marginalia.
Second edition of volume I, first editions of volumes II-III. Weiditz, who is commemorated in a poem on A4v, was the first botanical illustrator to be known by name. Although Brunfel's text was an old-fashioned compendium, this botanical work broke new ground with its realistic and easily recognisable illustrations of plants. Weiditz characteristically includes the root of the plant, as well as the stem, leaves, flowers and fruit. Volume III, published after Brunfel's death, was illustrated by other artists, but in a similar manner. Adams B-2924; Grolier/Horblitt 33a; Norman 361; Nissen BBI 257, 257, IIa and 257, III.
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