Kunstbüchlin : Darinnen neben Fürbildung vieler, geistlicher vnnd weltlicher, hohes vnd niderstands Personen, so dann auch der Türkischen Käyser unnd derselben obersten allerhande kunstreiche Stück vnnd Figuren : auch die sieben Planeten, zehen alter Rittmeister vnnd Befelchshaber, Reuteren vnd Contrafactur der Pferde, allerlen Thurnier, Fechten vnd dann erliche Helm vnd Helmdecken begriffen : Alles auff das zierlicht vnd künstlichst gerissen. Frankfurt 1599

Octavo (203 x 152 mm), engraved vignette on title, title in red and black, engraved frontispiece (dated 1578) laid down, 293 engraved plates, 5 with later hand-colouring, ’F. S. Ferguson’ bookplate on front pastedown, contemporary vellum, preserved in modern dop-backed box with gilt title and date (some wear and foxing, small tears), the final page with later inscriptions of seven sets of initials with pencilled attributions

This lot is sold not subject to return

Jost Amman (1539-1591), a painter and print maker, was born in Zurich and became one of the most prolific and skilled book illustrators of the 16th century. The present work is the first complete edition of this model book for painters, designers, copyists and numerous other craftsmen including gunstockers and other decorators of arms and armour. It includes designs of mythological and classical compositions, the ages of man and woman, heads of bishops, Turkish Emperors, Commanders, Captains, scenes from the joust, horses, and designs for shields. Amman moved to Nuremburg around 1560-61 where he worked for the rest of his life.