Beschreibung:

TABERNAEMONTANUS, Jacobus Theodorus (c.1525-1590). Neuw Kreuterbuch, Mit schönen, künstlichen und leblichen Figuren unnd Conterfeyten, aller Gewächss der Kreuter. Frankfurt: Nicolaus Bassaeus, 1588-1591. First edition of one of the most widely disseminated of the German herbals. Tabernaemontanus was a physician and student of Bock and Brunfels. His encyclopaedic Kreuterbuch was an attempt at a universal overview of the known European flora. Although the woodcuts, by an unknown artist and engraver, derive from the cuts of his teachers as well as Mattioli, Dodoens, Clusius and Lobel, Nissen (I, p. 64) praises their execution as having been carried out with great understanding and states that some cuts improve on their models. The stock was later acquired by the printer John Norton who used them to illustrate the first edition of Gerard's herbal. Adams T-540; Cleveland 130; Graesse VII, 4; Nissen BBI 1930; Pritzel 9093. 2 volumes in one, folio (362 x 249mm). Title of first volume printed in red and black within allegorical woodcut border, double column, over 2000 woodcuts (558 in volume one by Nissen's count, none in volume two; 547 in volume one by Cleveland’s count, 1662+ in volume two) of plants mostly, including woodcut initials, head- and tail-pieces (outer edge of title discreetly repaired, printer’s device on second title censored in ink, II: fore-margins of Kk5+6 cut away, occasional spotting and small wormholes, light browning, minor repairs in 2 index leaves with a few words supplied). Contemporary probably Würzburg blindstamped pigskin over wooden boards, sides panelled with portrait stamp signed 'H.H.' of St Kilian of Würzburg on front and of St Burchard on back [Haebler I, 180.3] (remains of metal catches, repairs at extremities, somewhat darkened and rubbed, a few small wormholes). Provenance : Würzburg, Georg Reusch (inscription recording his purchase at Würzburg in 1596 and illuminate coat-of-arms).