Knorr, Georg Wolfgang | Nearly one thousand shells depicted on 190 plates

Knorr, Georg Wolfgang

Les Délices des yeux et de l'esprit, ou collection générale des differentes espèces de coquillages que la mer renferme. Nuremberg: by the Author, 1764‒1773

6 volumes in 2, 4to (255 x 198 mm). 4 (of 6) letterpress title-pages, 6 handcolored additional engraved title-pages, 190 handcolored engraved plates of shells after J. C. Keller, J. C. Dietzsch, and others; first letterpress title foxed, occasional very minor browning or offsetting. Contemporary crushed brown morocco gilt with floral tools and rolls, spines elaborately gilt in six compartments, marbled endpapers, gilt edges; moderate wear and rubbing.

First edition in French, essentially contemporary with the German-language first edition. "Les délices des yeux et de l'esprit, it is truly a deluxe production which eventually portrayed nearly a thousand shells on 190 plates. The engravings, accurately drawn, meticulously hand-coloured and attractively arranged, are among the most aesthetically satisfying of all published figures of shells. The text, describing the appearance of the shells and little else, was made superfluous by the excellence of the figures, but this did not prevent the book appealing to a wide circle. Indeed, it was so popular that, although Knorr died in 1761, five more parts were added by 1772 and a Dutch edition was also produced" (Dance, "Delights").

REFERENCE:

Dance, "Delights for the Eyes and the Mind: A Brief Survey of Conchological Books" (http://www.bio-nica.info/biblioteca/DanceBibliophile.pdf); Landwehr, Dutch Books with Coloured Plates 96; Nissen, ZBI 2235

PROVENANCE:

Annie Geraldine Tennant (engraved bookplate) — Michael J. Kuse (Sotheby's New York, 20 June 2003, lot 16)