Description
Hortus Eysttensis (literally the Garden of Eichstätt), first published in 1613, is a landmark work in the history of botanical art and considered one of the greatest botanical sets ever created. Over 1,000 flowers representing 667 species are depicted on 374 folio size plates. The prints are historically significant on several levels, showing a remarkably large number of tulips and other flower bulbs and chronicling the introduction of exotic species to Germany. The prints survived the gardens themselves, which fell into neglect after von Gemmingen died, and were destroyed by invading Swedish troops in 1634. The copperplates from which the prints were used to print a second and a third edition remained at Eichstätt until around 1800 and subsequently their whereabouts were unknown. Nonetheless, in 1994 at the Albertina Museum in Vienna, Austria, 329 of the original 367 copperplates including the title-page were rediscovered. In 1998, a reconstruction of the original garden opened to the public in Eichstätt.
Editions: We offer an assortment of Besler prints from the first, second, and third editions. As a general rule of thumb here are some characteristics that have been noted in the rare book and print trade and in scholarship to frequently apply, though there are no absolute definitive criteria to evaluate print editions in every instance:
First Edition, 1613. Text description usually printed on the back of the print. For the so-called “deluxe” first edition, however, the prints had no text on the back, but had a printmaker’s watermark and were specially hand-colored as issued.
Second Edition, 1640. No text description on back of print (it is blank).
Third Edition, 1713 [- c. 1750]. Text description printed on the back of the print. Paper creamier in color, thicker, and more grain to the cloth fibers.
Condition: Generally very good, recently professionally cleaned and deacidified with light remaining toning, handling, wear. Minor paper toning. Scattered book worm holes in margins. Text from backside slightly showing through to front, unobtrusive. Central horizontal crease (resulting when hand-made paper was dried), as issued. Faint rust spotting from iron in paper. Minor scattered printer’s creases, as issued. Plate mark fully present.
References:
Barker, Nicolas. Hortus Eystettensis, The Bishop’s Garden and Besler’s Magnificent Book. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1994. p.21.
Blunt, Wilfred, rev. by Stearn, William T. The Art of Botanical Illustration. Woodbridge, Suffolk, England: Antique Collectors Club, 1994. pp. 106-108.
Brindle, John V., James J. White and Donald E Wendel. Flora Portrayed: Classics of Botanical Art from the Hunt Institute Collection. Pittsburgh, PA: Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Carnegie-Mellon University, 1985. 430.
Keunecke, Hans-Otto. Hortus Eystettensis: zur Geschichte eines Gartens und einer Buches, Munich: Schirmer/Mosel, 1989, pp.106-112, 131-4.
Mail-Brandt, Maria. “Besler, Basilius Apotheker, Sammler, Gartenliebhaber, Verleger” Garten-Literatur. 27 February 2002. http://www.garten-literatur.de/Leselaube/persoenl/besler_p.htm (5 April 2006).
Nissen, Claus. Die Botanische Buchillustration: ihre Geschichte und Bibliographie. Stuttgart:1951-66. 159.
Pritzel, Georg August. Thesaurus Literaturae Botanicae Omnium Gentium. Milan: 1950. 745.
Stafleu, Frans A. and Richard S.Cowan. Taxonomic Literature. Utrecht: 1967. 2nd ed., Utrecht: 1976-1988. 497.
“The Garden at Eichstätt.” Taschen Books.http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/books/interiors_savoir_vivre/all/facts/01624.htm (5 April 2006).
