Antique 1788 German JH Chemnitz Schiffs Boote Nautili Shell Engraving 21"

Description

Antique 18th century hand colored engraving of Schiffs-Boote Nautili, Tab 137 from "Neues Sistematisches Conchylien Cabinet" (originally by Friedrich Heinrich Wilhelm Martini) continued and completed by Johann Hieronymus Chemnitz, Nurenberg 1788. Beveled giltwood frame; pale beige mat.

"Friedrich Heinrich Wilhelm Martini (31 August 1729,Ohrdruf – 27 June 1778, Berlin) was a German physician, translator and conchologist. Martini practised medicine in Berlin.[1] In 1769, he began the colour-illustrated shell book: Neues systematisches Conchylien-Cabinet published by Gabriel Nikolaus Raspe at Nürnberg. He died following the publication of the third volume, after which the series was continued by Johann Hieronymus Chemnitz (1730–1800), who added eight volumes between 1779 and 1795. Because these volumes did not use the binomial system, the species names introduced are not considered valid. However, the specimens illustrated often became type specimens, because subsequently others referred to them when publishing valid descriptions. His shell collection was sold after his death but is now lost, probably deliberately disposed of in the 1970s. In 1773, Martini founded the Berlinische Gesellschaft Naturforschender Freunde, consisting of a group of natural historians who visited each other's collections and built up a collection for the society. The society still exists today." (Source: Wikipedia)

"Johann Hieronymus Chemnitz (10 October 1730, in Magdeburg – 12 October 1800, in Copenhagen) was a German clergyman and a conchologist. From 1759 to 1768 he was Chaplain of the Danish Embassy in Vienna, then garrison Chaplain in Helsingør and Copenhagen. Johann Chemnitz continued the work of Friedrich Wilhelm Martini (1729–1778), Neues systematisches Conchylien-Cabinet. He added to the three volumes previously published eight new volumes in 1779 and 1795. Although neither of the two authors use the binomial system, they are regarded as the authors of many species which were first described in this work. Chemnitz used many specimens from cabinet of curiosities of the king of Denmark whose conservator was Lorenz Spengler (1720–1807).[2] Chemnitz began with a collection of half shells before collecting whole shells. His patron was Christian Hee Hwass (1731–1803).The 5th volume describes and portrays many shells from New Zealand and some from Australia collected during Cook's voyages into the Pacific. Note Conchylien-Cabinet von Martini und Chemnitz is an enormous work published from 1837 up to 1920 with nearly hundred sections, including some 4000 plates. The original work was continued by Heinrich Carl Küster and then Wilhelm Kobelt and Heinrich Conrad Weinkauff." (Source: Wikipedia)

Condition

Good Overall - Some foxing/stains to paper

Dimensions

18.25" x 1.25" x 20.75" / Sans Frame - 7.5" x 9.75" (Width x Depth x Height)