LONICER, Adam (1528-1586). Kreuterbuch, künstliche Conterfeytunge der Bäume, Stauden, Hecken ... Jetzo gantz fleissig von newem durch sehen, gebessert und weit uber alle vorige Edition gemehret. Frankfurt: M. Lechler for heirs of Chr. Egenolff, 1573.

A contemporary hand-colored example of Lonicer's popular herbal. Lonicer's popular Kreuterbuch, first printed in 1557 and frequently reprinted, was a compilation based on previous works, principally Eucharius Rösslin's Kreutterbuch of 1533 (itself a revised combination of the Gart der Gesundheit and Brunschwig's Destillierbuch) and T. Dorsten's Botanicon. The text, which is illustrated with woodcuts copied from the herbals of Brunfels, Fuchs, Bock and others, was repeatedly rearranged through successive reeditions. This is the fifth German edition, and deals not only with trees, shrubs and herbs and the creation of gardens, but also the art of distillation, animals, ores, precious stones and metals. The woodcuts are for the most part copied from designs by Rößlin and Hieronymus Bock, and include mythical creatures such as unicorns, griffins and dragons. VD 16, L 2420; Nissen BBI 1228; Pritzel 5599.

Folio (309 x 184mm). Title printed in red and black (mounted to another sheet with infilled losses affecting text), woodcut printer's device on verso of final leaf, numerous woodcuts throughout, colored by a contemporary hand , (a few paper losses filled and other defects papered over on index, especially leaves cc3 and cc4, occassional dampstains, slight browning, spotting throughout). (Spine split after aa[5]). Contemporary blind stamped vellum (rubbed, the upper portion more heavily scoured). Cloth clamshell. Provenance: F. von Schrip, G.B. van der Kerk (inscription on front pastedown, 1725) – Sig[ismund] Everfeldt (inscription, 20 June 1726) – Typed dealer description (in English, c. 1918).