Schmidel, Casimir Christoph | First edition of Fossilivm Metalla Et Res Metallicas

Schmidel, Casimir Christoph

Fossilivm Metalla et Res Metallicas Concernentivm Glebae suis coloribus expressae quas descripsit et digessit D. Casimirus Christophorus Schmiedel. Nuremberg: Johann Michael Seligmann, 1753

4to (256 x 188 mm). One (of two) engraved title-pages, Latin and German, text in both languages, 26 hand-colored engraved plates; a few marginal tears, browning, instances of light spotting, lacking second engraved title. Contemporary marbled boards; rubbed.

First edition of this attractive mineralogical work, issued simultaneously with Latin and German text. A collaboration between the naturalist Casimir Christoph Schmidel and the engraver and artist Johann Michael Seligmann, the book presents specimens of ores, minerals, and metalliferous rocks. The plates are based on original paintings by Schmidel himself.

Schmidel, professor of medicine and natural history at the University of Altdorf, was among the earliest to systematize mineral classification by visual traits, anticipating Werner’s later reforms. Seligmann, better known for his hand-coloured editions of Catesby’s Natural History of Carolina, brought equal artistry to these depictions of mineral “types,” printed with attention given to tone and surface texture.

Copies vary in the number of plates.

REFERENCES

Hoover 728; Schuh 4322; Ward & Carozzi 1980 & 1981 (listing 26 plates)