(Amber) — Philipp Jacob Hartmann | The “best and most thorough work yet to appear on amber” in its time

(Amber) — Philipp Jacob Hartmann

Succini Prussici physica & civilis historia cum demonstratione ex autopsia & intimiori rerum experientia deducta. Frankfurt: Martin Hallervord & Johann Andrea, 1677

8vo (156 x 94 mm). Frontispiece, 3 engraved folding plates, ornamental head and tailpieces and initials; very small portion of the lower corner of frontispiece in facsimile, mounted on tab, plate 2 and frontispiece slightly trimmed at margins, browning, scattered foxing, a few stray stains. Contemporary vellum, red mottled edges, cropped; recased with original spine and pastedowns.

Hartmann’s description of ancient writings on amber, deposits in Prussia, amber fishery and mining, characteristics, and uses—described as “the best and most thorough work yet to appear on amber” in its time (Sinkankas).

REFERENCES

Sinkankas 2783

PROVENANCE

Henry Polissack (booklabel; Swann Galleries, 27 May 2004, lot 2)