Naturhistorische Bilder-Gallerie aus dem Thierreiche

/ gezeichnet von Carl Joseph Brodtmann. [Lindau? : Brodtmann, 1816]. Heften 1-33, plus the three Supplement-Heften, bound in one volume, large folio (450 x 360 mm), contemporary half black morocco over marbled papered boards, gilt-lettered spine (a little worn at head and foot); with lithographed title-leaf, pp. [2 Systematisches Verzeichnis], 1-36 (explanatory text for Heften 1-18), 1-16 (explanatory text for Heften 26-33), 1-10 (explanatory text for Heften 19-25), 1-4 (explanatory text for the three Supplement-Heften) – note that this binding sequence follows other examples; followed by a total of 144 lithographed plates in six series, separately numbered; clean and crisp throughout, an exceptionally fine example of the complete edition.

In the early nineteenth century, the Swiss artist, printmaker, publisher and bookseller Carl Joseph Brodtmann (1787-1862) was among the most prominent pioneers of the new art of lithography. The large-format lithographed plates in his encyclopaedic work illustrating the animal kingdom, Naturhistorische Bilder-Gallerie aus dem Thierreiche, depict their subjects realistically – and as far as possible, with scientific accuracy. The first series of twelve plates illustrates racial types from around the known world (including the South Seas, after Cook’s voyage artists); the second series, with 60 plates, depicts a large range of other mammals (occasionally more than one is featured in the same plate); next is a series 32 plates of birds (including the already extinct dodo), then 12 plates of reptiles and amphibians, followed by 16 plates devoted to insects. The present volume also contains the 12 supplementary plates which illustrate a miscellany of creatures from different categories. Plates of particular Australian/New Guinea interest include those with depictions of the emu, cassowary, cockatoo, lyrebird, Bird of Paradise, and platypus.

Winkler 105 (not noting the Supplement-Heften); not in Nissen, ZBI

Based on its catalogue note, the State Library of New South Wales holds an incomplete volume that contains only 20 (of the 33 originally issued) parts; otherwise, Naturhistorische Bilder-Gallerie aus dem Thierreiche appears unrecorded in Australian collections.