MERIAN, Matthäus.

A famous work on Switzerland grangerized with 67 engravings, Topographia Helvetiae Rhaetiae et Valesiae. Das ist, Beschreibung und eigentliche Abbildung der vornembsten Stätte und Plätz, in der hochlöblichen Eydgnoßschafft, Grawbündten, Walliß, und etlicher zugewanten Orten.

      Matthäus Merian, 1642., Frankfurt am Main, - Folio. Contemporary calf, spine ribbed and gilt, with red title label, lettered in gold, red painted edges. Richly engraved allegorical title, depicting with the coats of arms of the different Swiss cantons, the stork as the printer's device of Merian, an the inscription 'Concordiae et pacis autor ichoua', two general maps (of Germany and Switzerland), and 74 copper-engraved views on 55 plates by Merian and others. 72, (8) pp. First edition of Matthäus Merian's (1593-1650) famous and richly illustrated topography of Switzerland. The main interest of the work is in the engravings, which are of a high artistic level, nearly all double-page or folding, with finely executed plans and views of the towns and areas mentioned. The text is by Martin Zeiler (1589-1661).This is the first of Merian's topographical works, dealing with his native country, Switzerland. Extra added are 67 engravings, collected by Alb. Müller, who acquired the book in 1819, all cut out and pasted on paper and dealing with Switzerland as well and bound in to the suitable chapters:1. Schloss Angenstein, engraved by Matthäus Merian.2. Die gantze Eydtgnosschafft, engraved by Georg Seiler, printed by Emanuel Hurter, Schaffhausen.3-5. Nouvelle carte géographique de la Suisse, engraved by Jacques Scheuchzer, printed by R. & J. Wetstein and Guil. Smith, Amsterdam.6. Eijgentliche Vorstelung des Brunen Thurns so Ao. 1724 erbauen nebst umligendem Prospect.7. Kronenporten in Zurich.8. Plan des Zürich-Sees.9-11. Abbildung aller in dem Zürich See und der Limat sich befindende Gattung Fische.12. Prospect gegen dem Schloss Pfungen im Zürich Gebieth, engraved by Georg Seiler.13. Prospect der Statt Winerthur, engraved by Vitodur after Ulr. Schellenberg (folding) (Lonchamp 2629 & 2633).14-15. Entdeckung einiger Römischer Alterthümer, welche Ao. 1759 in der Herrschafft Regensperg, auf einer Anhöhe ob Buchs unter der Burg ist gemachet worden, engraved by J. R. Holzhalb after J. Müller (2 plates Lonchamp 2157).16. Prospect beij Thun in der Landtschafft Bern, engraved by J. G. Seiler after Felix Meijer.17. Prospect des obern Theils von dem Genffer See, zu Chardone beij Vivis, engraved by G. Seiler after Felix Meijer.18. Pierre d'un dragon a Lucerne, vue de ses deux cotez, engraved by Joh. Meijer.19. Prospect eines Walserfahls in Underwalden, engraved by J. G. Seiler after Felix Meijer (Lonchamp 2045?).20-31. Series of landscapes in the surroundings of Basle: Kleyben bey Basel, Prospect bey Basel, Wisen bey Basel, An der Wisen bey Basel, Hiltelingen, Hiltelingen bey Basel, Biersee bey Basel, Brigligen bey Basel, Prospect bey Basel, Bey Hinningen, and Wasserfall bey Liechstahl, all engraved by Claes Jansz. Vischer after Matthäus Merian.32. Hermitage à deux lieues de Fribourg, engraved by J. P. le Bas in 1775.33. Environs de Fribourg, engraved by J. P. le Bas in 1775.34. Cataracta Rheni - Der Rhein-Fall, engraved by Andreas Hoffer after Melchior Füßlin.35. Vuë des environs de Schaffhausen en Suisse, engraved by P. Rücker in 1790 after C. Schneider.36. L'agreable solitaire auprès du lac qui s'appelle Katzen-See, engraved by I. S. Negges.37. Wahrhafte Abbildung der Stadt Wyhl, samt der Attaquen, engraved by Melchior Füßlin.38. Carte de la principaute de Neuchatel et Vallangin en Suisse, engraved by D. F. Merveilleux in 1708.39. Große Gletscher oder Eijs Berg, aus dem Ursprung der Rhosne, an der Furca, zu oberst in Wallis.40. Schloss Münchenstein im Canton Basel, designed by Matthäus Merian.41-65. Kupferstiche von Versteinerungen, designed and engraved by Johann Melchior Füßlin, from: Scheuchzer, Natur Geschichte des Schweizerlandes. Zürich, 1746 (Lonchamp 2645). 66-67. Lauffen, engraved by Matthäus Merian. Good complete collector's copy with extra engravings.- (Occasionly sl. browned). Schuchhard 62; Eckardt pp. 48-52; introd. to the facsimile ed. of the second ed.: Kassel 1960; Wüthrich IV, 4. [Attributes: First Edition; Signed Copy; Hard Cover]