Johann Christoph Volkamer | Nürnbergische Hesperides. Nuremberg, 1708[-14], contemporary vellum, volume one (only, of 2)

Johann Christoph Volkamer

Nürnbergische Hesperides, oder Gründliche Beschreibung der edlen Citronat-citronen- und Pomeranzen-früchte, wie solche in selbiger und benachbarten Gegend recht mögen... fortgebracht werden... Beneben der Flora, oder curiosen Vorstellung verschiedener raren Blumen. Nuremberg: for the author, 1708[-1714]

FIRST EDITION, volume one only (of 2), folio (358 x 228mm.), engraved allegorical frontispiece, title printed in red and black, 114 engraved plates and 2 maps, some folding, contemporary vellum, labelled in manuscript at head of spine, red edges, traces of nineteenth century ownership inscription and library stamp to front pastedown, red edges, one folding plate with closed tear at fold, slight stain to lower board

One of the most spectacular and celebrated books on fruit. The fine plates are by a number of artists and engravers including Paul Decker, and mostly show fruits depicted on a large scale above a view of a garden, building, landscape or village in Germany, Austria or Italy. Volckamer was a wealthy Nuremberg merchant who owned an orangery. There is general disagreement in the reference works as to how many plates there are, and the number seems to vary from copy to copy.

LITERATURE:

Dunthorne 323; Great Flower Books, p. 79; McGill/Hunt 420; Nissen BBI 2076; Pritzel 9848