LUYKEN, Jan and Casper.
Spiegel van 't menschelyk Bedryf, vertonende hondert verscheyde ambagten, zeer konstig afgebeeld, en met zeer zinryke spreuken en stigtelyke versen verrykt ...
Amsterdam, Nicolaus Visscher, [1694]. 4to. With 100 numbered full-page engraved plates, an engraved frontispiece, and an engraved title page. Contemporary quarter red sheepskin, marbled paper sides. [1 blank], [102], [1 blank] ll.
€ 2,750
Rare second edition, published in the same year as the first, of a fine series of engravings depicting a 100 late 17th-century arts and crafts. The series is engraved by two of the most accomplished Dutch engravers of the period, Jan Luyken (1649-1712) and his son Caspar Luyken (1672-1708). Each plate illustrates a specific occupation, accompanied by the name of the profession and a 6-line moralising poem, written by Jan Luyken himself. Besides forming an outstanding collection of genre prints, the work also provides a valuable historical record of working life and artisanal practice during the Dutch Golden Age.
The influence of the work was considerable as it inspired several related publications, including Christoph Weigels Abbildung der gemein-nützlichen haupt-stände (1698) and Abraham a Sancta Claras Etwas für alle (1699). Both works, like Luykens, enjoyed numerous later editions. In the later 18th century the Stichter firm further popularised Luykens imagery by publishing miniature woodcut versions of the plates in their almanacs between 1768 and 1792.
With a later ownership inscription on the title page ("Vollebregt, 19 Oct. 1949"), annotations in French and Spanish on plate 35 ("Le faiseur doutils de batteau" and "Hace los instrumentos para las naves"), and plate 36, ("Le pompier" and "Bombero"). The boards and spine are rubbed, with a stain on the back board. Plates 35, 36, 41, and 42 were likely taken from another copy and have been loosely inserted, these four plates are slightly browned, plate 36 has a tear to the outer margin (not affecting the engraving), some occasional (water)staining throughout, mainly in the margins. Otherwise in good condition. Landwehr, Emblem Books Low Countries 532; STCN 122009029; Van Eeghen & Van der Kellen pp. 250-262; WorldCat 1514346542; cf. Klaversma & Hannema 986-989 (other eds.); not in De Vries.
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