Franz Michael Regenfuss | Auserlesne Schnecken, Muscheln und andere Schaalthiere, 1758

Franz Michael Regenfuss

Auserlesne Schnecken, Muscheln und andere Schaalthiere [Sammlung von Muscheln, Schnecken und andern Schaaltieren]. Copenhagen, 1758

Folio (605 x 445mm.), half-title, engraved titles in German and French, text in German and French, fine engraved headpiece printed in sanguine, 12 hand-coloured engraved plates, nineteenth-century half morocco gilt, without the letterpress title, privilege and portrait found in some copies, some spotting

In 1748 Regenfuss published a small circular in which he invited shell collectors to subscribe to his conchological work. That same year he obtained from Emperor Francis I the privilege of publishing the book. However, due to several circumstances, not least that Regenfuss was unhappy with the text provided by Friedrich Christian Lesser, publication ceased. Through the mediation of the Danish Count Adam Gottlob von Moltke (Conseiller prive et grand Marechal de la Cour) and Frederic V. King of Denmark and Norway, Regenfuss came to Copenhagen in 1754. Moltke as well as the King were great admirers of natural history objects and Moltke possessed a famous cabinet of shells. Hence, Regenfuss was appointed engraver to the King, a position he held until his death in 1780. It was here in Copenhagen that Regenfuss continued and finally published his work. Consequently, Regenfuss went to some length to conceal the Nuremberg origin of his illustrations, to the degree that he obliterated the imprints at the foot of the engravings.

Apart from the 12 plates, copies vary considerably in their make-up.

LITERATURE:

Nissen BBI 3338

PROVENANCE:

Sir Edward Henry Scott, 5th Bart (1842-1883), of Sundridge Park, Bromley Kent, bookplate