Jost Amman, “To Throw a Harmful Firebomb into a Battle Formation”, 1573

Jost Amman (aka Jost Ammon) (1539–1591)

“To Throw a Harmful Firebomb into a Battle Formation” (Ein schadtlich Feumer in ein Schlachtordnung zu werffen), 1573

Although this siege scene features the use of the customary solid cannonballs (round shot)—visible in the foreground at centre—what makes this image particularly interesting is the depiction of incendiary fire-balls (Feuerballen) being launched at the fortifications. These projectiles consist of a linen or flax pouch tightly bound with twine, filled with a combustible mixture of sulphur, saltpetre, and melted resin. Once a protruding wick is lit, these flaming balls are hurled in a high arc by heavy mortars seen in the foreground, designed to ignite the city’s interior.

Technical Details & Condition:

Woodcut on laid paper with letterpress text on the verso. The image is trimmed with a narrow margin and backed with a support sheet, providing wider margins. This woodcut is from page 148 of the third part of the German military manual, “Kriegsbuch” (War Book), by Leonhard Fronsperger (aka Leonhardt Fronsberger) (c. 1520–1575). It was printed by Martin Lechler (fl. late 1500s) and published in Frankfurt am Main by Sigmund Feyerabend (also known as Sigismund Feyrabend or Sigmund Feierabend) in 1573.

This is a strong, well-printed impression. The sheet is age-toned but otherwise in good condition, with no tears or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 13.3 x 15 cm
• Image borderline: 12.5 x 14.1 cm

References:

• Andresen 226.85v (Andreas Andresen, “Der deutschen Peintre-Graveur oder die deutschen Maler als Kupferstecher, nach ihrem Leben und ihren Werken, von dem letzten Drittel des 16. Jahrhunderts bis zum Schluss des 18. Jahrhunderts”, vol. 1, 1872–78, Leipzig, p. 365, cat. no. 226.85v)
• New Hollstein (German) (Jost Amman) IV.94.76
• British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1837-0616-23

Price & Shipping:

AU$237 (approximately US$167.20 / €143.57 / £124.93), including worldwide express shipping. Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in acquiring this remarkable German woodcut from the late Renaissance, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold 

Abraham Blooteling, "Plate 81: Flayed Human Foot, Leg,” 1685, after Gerard de Lairesse

Abraham Blooteling (also known as Abraham Bloteling, Abraham Blotelingh, and Abraham Blootelingh) (1640–1690) and Pieter Stevens van Gunst (aka Pieter van Gunst) (1658/59–c.1731)

"Plate 81: Flayed Human Foot, Leg" — Extensor Muscles and Tendons of the Lower Limb, 1685

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on laid paper with full margins as issued. This engraving is based on a drawing from the École de Médecine, Paris, by Gerard de Lairesse (1640/41–1711), and is Plate 81 (Tab. 81) in Govard Bidloo’s (1649–1713) landmark anatomical atlas, “Anatomia humani corporis / Ontleding des menschelyken lichaams," first published in 1685 in Amsterdam by the widow of Johan van Someren (1622–1676).

Note: This impression features the 3 cm chain-lines characteristic of the first edition of 1685. The later edition of 1734, published by Jacob van Poolsum (1701–1762) in Utrecht, has 2.5 cm chain-lines. The watermark, reading “BRUN/ EN/ DANGOU,” possibly indicates the Brun family as the paper manufacturer— a prominent name in French papermaking. The last line may refer to its manufacture in d'Angoumois, aligning with the 1688 and 1739 decrees requiring papermakers to include their name and province of origin in the watermark. This three-line watermark helps date this impression to between 1688 and 1739.

The impression is strong and well-printed, with only minor signs of wear to the plate. The sheet is in excellent condition, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or stains

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 53.5 x 36.5 cm
• Platemark: 50 x 30.6 cm

Lettered on Plate:

• Upper-right corner: “T.81.”
• Within the image, key points are lettered from “A” to “Q”. (“A”—knee; “B”—fibula; “C”—portions of tibia; “D”—calf; “E”—tibialis anterior muscle; etc.)

References:

• Throwbridge Gallery offers a detailed description of this print and an insightful account of the history and controversies surrounding its publication: https://trowbridgegallery.com.au/shop/medical/william-cowper/william-cowper-t81/
• Archive.org offers an online view of this print and its context within the publication: https://archive.org/details/gri_33125008642049/page/n273/mode/2up
• Wikimedia: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bidloo_Ontleding_1690_81.jpg

Price & Shipping:

AU$388 (approximately US$275.76 / €235.97 / £205.97), including worldwide express shipping. Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in acquiring this large and renowned masterwork of anatomical engraving—an exceptional display of craftsmanship and ingenuity in depicting muscles and tendons—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

Marcus Gheeraerts I, “The Donkey, Buffalo, Camel, and Mule”, 1617

Marcus Gheeraerts I (also known as Marc Garrard, Marcus Geraerts, and Marcus Gheraerts) (1516/21–c.1590)

“The Donkey, Buffalo, Camel, and Mule” or “De Ezel, Buffel, Kameel, en Muyle”, 1617

Technical Details & Condition:

Book leaf with full margins as issued, printed on laid paper, with letterpress text (recto and verso), featuring an etching numbered "88" on page numbered “88” by Marcus Gheeraerts the Elder. This leaf is from a book of 125 animal fables used to illustrate moral philosophy, “Warande der Dieren” (Garden of Animals), published in Amsterdam in its fourth edition in 1617. 

The accompanying text describes a historical event recounted by the Roman historian Livy, detailing a moment when the common citizens of Rome (gemeene Burgers) complained to the Roman Council (Roomschen raet) about being forced into excessive labour at home and in the fields, effectively serving as slaves. 

The etching is a richly inked and well-printed impression. The sheet is in excellent condition, free of tears, holes, stains, or handling marks

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 19.6 x 15.5 cm
• Platemark: 9.6 x 11.2
• Image borderline: 9.3 x 11.1 cm

References:

• Hollstein (Dutch) 1–108 (FWH Hollstein, “Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts ca.1450–1700: FOUCEEL–GOLE”, vol. VII, 1949, Amsterdam, Menno Hertzberger, p. 100, cat. nos. 1–108 [4^th edition with 125 plates])
• Archive.org offers an online view of this publication from the later 1682 edition: https://archive.org/details/vorstelijckewara00vond/page/n189/mode/2up

Price & Shipping:

AU$214 (approximately US$151.72 / €128.81 / £112.97), including worldwide express shipping. Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you're interested in acquiring this superbly executed emblem print—depicting four 'beasts of burden' within rugged terrain as an emblematic metaphor for common labourers, used to argue the 17th-century notion that a person’s social “lot in life” was part of a divine or natural order that should not be disturbed—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold

Louis van Houtte & Joseph Guillaume de Pannemaeker, “Catawba Rhododendron (Duc de Brabant variety)”, c. 1853

Louis van Houtte (sometimes misidentified as “Horto van Houtteano," which is Latin/Portuguese for “Van Houtte's Garden” and the publisher’s name for Van Houtte) (1810–1876) in collaboration with Pieter Joseph Guillaume de Pannemaeker (1832–1904)—one of Van Houtte’s key lithographers and a preeminent botanical artist.

“Catawba Rhododendron (Duc de Brabant variety)” or “Rhododendrum Catawb. Duc de Brabant” (as titled in the plate) or “Rhododendron catawbiense 'Duc de Brabant'” (the scientific name), c. 1853

Note: The "Duc de Brabant" refers to the title held by Leopold II, the future King of the Belgians. Naming a hardy, "noble" flower after the heir to the throne was a strategic political and marketing move by Van Houtte.

Technical Details & Condition:

Chromolithograph (possibly with hand finishing) on wove paper, with full margins and gatefold as issued. Published in Ghent by Van Houtte’s publishing house, Horto van Houtteano, between 1853 and 1854, as a double-page (“folding”) illustration—plate numbers 924-925—part of Louis van Houtte’s “Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l'Europe: Annales Générales d'Horticulture” (Flowers of the Greenhouses and Gardens of Europe, General Annals of Horticulture), volume 9. The sheet is mounted on archival-quality washi paper, allowing the fold to be flattened and supported. The impression is strong and well-printed. The sheet is in excellent (near-pristine) condition, free of tears, holes, stains, or handling marks.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 33 x 24.2 cm

Lettered on Plate:

• Lower centre: “RHODODENDRUM CATAWB. Duc de Brabant/ ħ [the letter ‘h’ with its elongated tail is the printer’s abbreviation for ‘Hybride’ / hybrid”] Semis Ledeberg-Pleine terre [Seedling from Ledeberg—Open ground]”
• Lower right: “uff. lith et pict— in Horto van Houtteano”

Price & Shipping:

AU$212 (approximately US$150.91 / €127.70 / £111.93), including worldwide express shipping. Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you're interested in acquiring this exceptionally beautiful colour lithograph of a spray of Rhododendron flowers—specifically from a hybrid seedling cultivated for its notable (and historically significant in 19th-century Belgium) ability to survive in “pleine terre” (open ground) despite freezing conditions—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.