Matthaeus Merian, “Flying Fish above a Sailing Ship”, 1655

Matthaeus Merian (also known as Matthäus Merian I) (1593–1650), or possibly Theodoor de Bry (aka Théodore de Bry, Dietrich de Bry, and Dirk de Bry) (1528–1598)

“Flying Fish above a Sailing Ship”, 1655

Contextual Commentary:

This original book-leaf was published in Frankfurt am Main in 1655 by the Merian heirs, as part of Johann Ludwig Gottfried’s “Newe Welt und Americanische Historien”. The featured etching appears on page 619 — This page and the complete publication is digitally available via the Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/neweweltvndameri00gott/page/n639/mode/2up.

The accompanying German Fraktur letterpress text provides a fascinating window into early transatlantic exploration. The upper narrative describes a fleet anchoring in “Craques Bay” at the Island of St. Vincent (in the Cape Verde archipelago) to pitch tents, seek trade with local inhabitants, and secure fresh drinking water and brandy for their sick crew.

The text beneath the illustration offers a detailed natural history observation of the flying fish depicted, comparing them in size to herrings and noting their bat-like wings. It describes how they escape predatory fish by gliding up to 200 paces through the air, only to risk becoming prey to hawks and sea birds until their wings dry out and they drop back into the sea. The passage explicitly anchors its observations in the historic travel accounts of Girolamo Benzoni and Jean de Léry.

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching on fine laid paper with full margins and German letterpress text on both recto and verso.

The impression is strong, crisp, and evenly printed with minimal signs of plate wear, indicative of a well-preserved early state. There is a small historical hole within the text area; the sheet has been professionally backed with archival-quality Japanese washi paper to ensure full structural integrity and stability. Aside from minor age-toning, the leaf remains in very good condition and is entirely free of significant staining.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 31.0 x 19.6 cm
• Outer image borderline: 15.0 x 18.1 cm

Letterpress text (recto):

• Above image: (centre) “Dritter Theil” (Translation: “Part Three”) (right) “619”
• Main text paragraph directly below image begins with a continuation from the previous page: “plaget waren / Abends vnd Morgens ein wenig Brandwein reichen / zu trincken / vnd den Mund da- / mit zu spülen. (Translation: “...were plagued, to hand out a little brandy evening and morning to drink, and to rinse the mouth therewith.”)

Price & Shipping:

AU$279 (approximately US$194.95 / €173.98 / £147.32), including worldwide express shipping. Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this historically fascinating 17th-century leaf capturing European imagination of an early voyages to the Americas, please contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold 

Gustave Greux, “Rêverie”, c. 1875, after Albert Maignan

Gustave Greux (also known as Gustave Marie Greux) 1838–1919)

“Rêverie”, c. 1875

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with drypoint on ivory laid paper (Arches watermark) with generously wide margins as issued.

The composition of the etching is based on Albert Maignan’s (aka Albert Pierre René Maignan) (1845–1908) painting exhibited in the 1875 Salon. This impression was printed in Paris by François Liénard (fl. c. 1860s–1880s). It was published as an insert between pages 342 and 343 in the art periodical “L’Art,” in 1875.

The impression is richly inked, strong, crisp and nearly faultless. Aside from a few thin spots that are an intrinsic part of the paper, the sheet is in pristine condition bearing no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 43.9 x 29.9 cm
• Platemark: 29.0 x 20.9 cm
• Image borderline: 26.4 x 18.6 cm

In-Plate Lettering:

• Above the image at centre: “Salon de 1875.”
• Below the image: (left) “A.Maignan, pinx. / L'Art.”; (centre) “RÊVERIE.”; (right) “G.Greux,sc./ F^çois Liénard,Imp.Paris.”

References:

• IFF 6 (Jean Adhémar & Jacques Lethève, “Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800: GAVARRET–GUILLARD”, vol. 9, 1955, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Département des Estampes, p. 375, cat. no. 6)
• Pierre Sanchez & Xavier Seydoux, “Les Estampes de L’Art (1875–1907)”, 1999, Paris, L’Echelle de Jacob, p. 33
• British Museum: Inventory number 1877,0210.464 — https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1877-0210-464

Price & Shipping:

AU$236 (approximately US$164.91 / €147.16 / £124.62), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

To acquire this superb etching capturing the spell of a contemplative state—a rêverie beautifully embodied by the young woman who has momentarily dropped her stitch, leaving her yarn to rest on the low stool beside her—please contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. The quietude of her distraction contrasts with the dramatic, complexly knotted pollarded tree rising behind her, a powerful visual anchor that symbolically echoes the deep, entangled layers of her inner thoughts. Secure payment is handled via PayPal invoice for a smooth, protected transaction.

Karl Remshard, “The Battle of Alexander the Great against the Persians at the Granicus River”, c. 1720

Karl Remshard (also known as Carl Remshard, Carolus Rembshart and Carolus Remshart) (1678–1735) — Engraver working for the Augsburg publishing trade celebrated for his topographical views

“The Battle of Alexander the Great against the Persians at the Granicus River” (Die Schlacht Alexanders des Großen gegen die Perser am Fluss Granicus), circa 1720

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on fine laid paper, trimmed with a narrow margin around the image borderline and writing edge. The sheet is backed with a support of archival quality Japanese washi paper providing structural support and false margins for presentation.

The composition of the engraving is based on the historical painting "The Battle of the Granicus" (1665) in the Louvre Museum by Charles Le Brun (1619–1690), depicting Alexander the Great leading his cavalry across the Granicus River in battle with the Persian army in 334 B.C.

The impression is strong, crisp and rich. There are repairs to small chips and bumps to the outer edge of the sheet which otherwise remains in good condition with no stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 15.2 x 24.3 cm
• Inner image borderline: 11.3 x 23.8 cm

In-Plate Lettering (below the image borderline in three columns):

• Left (French): “LA VERTU SURMONTE TOUT OBSTACLE / Alexandre ayant passe le Granique, attaque les / Persses á forces inégales, et met en fuite leur / innombrable multitude” (Translation: VIRTUE OVERCOMES EVERY OBSTACLE / Having crossed the Granicus, Alexander attacks the Persians with unequal forces and puts their countless multitude to flight)
• Centre (German): “Durch aus nichts hält den Läuff / des Tapffern Helden auf. / Nach dem der grosse Alexander über den Fluß granicus / gesehet greifft Er das ünzählbare Heer der Perser mit / seiner geringen Armee dennoch an und erhalt das Feld.” (Translation: Absolutely nothing stops the course of the brave hero. After the great Alexander was seen over the Granicus River, he nevertheless attacks the innumerable army of the Persians with his small army and wins the field.)
• Right (Latin): “VIRTUS OMNI OBICE MAJOR. / Alexander, superato Granico, Persas imparibus / copiis aggreditur eorumque innumerabilem ex= / ercitum fundit.” (Translation: VIRTUE GREATER THAN EVERY OBSTACLE. Alexander, having crossed the Granicus, attacks the Persians with unequal forces and scatters their countless army.)

References:

• Nagler 6 (Georg Kaspar Nagler, “Neues allgemeines Künstler-Lexicon,” vol. 12, 1842, Munich, E. A. Fleischmann, p. 550, cat. no. 6) — Digitally available via Archive.org: https://archive.org/details/10258649bsb/page/550/mode/2up
• Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum: Museum Number CRemshard AB 3.4 — http://kk.haum-bs.de/?id=c-remshard-ab3-0004

Price & Shipping:

AU$198 (approximately US$138.31 / €123.15 / £104.47), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

To acquire this small and highly detailed engraving, please contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. Secure payment is handled via PayPal invoice for a smooth, protected transaction.