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Johann Merken : Liber artificiosus alphabeti maioris; oder, Neu inventirtes Kunst- Schreib- und Zeichenbuch

Joh. Conr. Eyrich, Muhlheim am Rhein, 1782-1785

Late 19th Century half calf with matching marbled boards. , A very nice copy. Occaisional faint browning. Plates are clean and crisp. , Small Oblong Folio 230mm , P. Vol 1: Frontis, Title, 1-22; Vol 2:1-66; Plates: 1-56, Illustrated with 56 plates engraved by Heinrich Hugo Coentgen after Merken showing writing specimens within baroque historiated borders, Hebrew and Greek alphabets, chemical symbols, astronomical diagrams, architectural orders, etc., Volume : Two Volumes

First and only edition of this spectacular Rococo work, richly illustrated baroque writing and drawing manual, also containing a variety of miscellaneous information (e.g. formulas and techniques for artists (including materials used, instructions for constructing sundials, drawing silhouettes, improving draftsmanship, practical hints for insect collectors, 1770-71 art auction prices, etc.) Included are illustrations of a perpetual wall calendar with details of all the moving parts; the use of optical instruments for making silhouettes; monograms templates; emblems; alchemical formulas; geometrical and astronomical figures; depicting emotion; making optical plates.
A beautifully illustrated work with the plates in fine dark impressions. The artist makes extensive use of borders to illustrate various fine detail of alphabets, instruments, scroll work, decoration, etc. , Berlin 4925; Bonacini 1169; Doede 213/1-2; Harvard/Becker 175; Ekstrom/Hagelin, pages 72-73.

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