STOLBERG, Friedrich Leopold.
Reis door Duitschland, Zwitserland, Italie en Sicilie. Uit het Hoogduitsch.
Amsterdam, J. Allart, 1798-1801. 4 vols. + atlas-vol. 8vo. With 19 folding engraved views by D. Vrijdag after the German originals, and 6 folding leaves with engraved musical scores. Contemporary half calf. XVI, 469, (1); 479, (1); 586, (2); 386, (2) pp.
€ 2,250
First Dutch edition of a literary, almost romantic travel book, for Italy much inspired by the classical authors. The author, Friedrich Leopold Graaf zu Stolberg-Stolberg (1750-1819), a German poet and diplomat, belonged to one of the oldest noble families in Germany, and was a life-long friend and admirer of Klopstock. He made this voyage later in life, after his second marriage, in 1791. The work was also translated into English by Holcroft, and published in London in 1796. The plates for the present Dutch edition were newly engraved and are in fine strong impressions.
Added extra:
ATLAS-VOLUME to the original German edition of Stolberg's Reise. Large 4to. Contemp. half calf. With 19 double-page views by Griefsmann after Wolff, G.G. Endner after Piranesi, etc., several dated 1794, and with double-page folding hand-coloured map of Italy by D.F. Sotzmann after Brion, dated 1794, and 5 folding leaves with engraved musical scores.
Comparing the plates with the Dutch plates it is a surprise to notice how even while closely copying the German originals, the Dutch artist by his own art and technique of engraving managed to give the views a quite different sort of atmosphere.
Good set. Cox I, p. 167.
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