First and only edition of a rare work on musical instruments, luxuriously bound in burgundy velvet by J. Ludwig in Frankfurt. The work has been copiously illustrated with 140 figures in the text and 3 large folding plates, including one with musical score. It gives a historical overview of all string, wind, and percussion instruments from their origin until the 19th century, with descriptions of their construction and range, and information on how to take care of them. The work was written and self-published by the piano maker Heinrich Welcker von Gontershausen (1811-1873). He lived in Darmstadt from 1855 or 1856, was a court instrument maker in 1857, and Grand Ducal Hessian piano maker in 1863 and 1870. He tuned pianos and carried out "tone improvements" for private individuals. He also wrote Der Clavierbau: in seiner Theorie, Technik, und Geschichte (1870), a work on piano building. The present work is rare on the market, as we have only been able to trace one other copy in sales records.
With the bookbinder's label of J.G.Ch. Ludwig, Frankfurt, mounted on the back pastedown. The velvet is slightly rubbed on the edges and spine, one of the sides of the solander box is detached, but still present. The work is somewhat foxed. Otherwise in good condition. WorldCat 1547525042, 504862208, 1327609768, 47977807, 66169357.