[8], 100, [12] pp. Copper-engraved title-page. Illustrated with 55 (only) copper-engraved plates, mostly double-page, and many with multiple images, showing nearly 100 views, plans and maps. (folio) 12x8, c.15th-century vellum with musical manuscript and a large blue and red initial. First Edition.
Matthew Merian (1593-1650) was a Swiss engraver and draftsman. The present is one of the most desirable volumes from his famous Topographia Germaniae, filled with bird's-eye views of castle towns, scenic views of villages nestled in hillsides with many rustic details, maps of the region, etc. There are 58 plates listed in the register (and Wuthrich notes 60 overall); there are only 55 plates in this copy, including two which are not listed in the register, of Schwabisch Hall and a map titled, "Comitatustetnang" (not noted in Wuthrich). The plates not present are 5, 6, 13, 17 and 53. The text of the first edition is only 100pp. The second edition incorporates the appendix written in 1654 and is expanded to 232pp (though with only 2 further plates). Wuthrich, Das druckgraphische Werk von Matthaus Merian, IV, 11.
Condition:
Vellum with unobstrusive staining, wear to joints and bands with covers starting; pale corner dampstain at beginning, intermittent browning and spotting (mostly marginal), early manuscript on verso of two plates (with some bleeding through and a few small inkstains), one plate with old corner repair, a few other minor old repairs, a few of the large views trimmed at outer edges, some splitting and occasional wear or creasing at centerfolds; overall, still in extremely good condition in an attractive binding.