LEDERMÜLLER, Martin Frobenius and J.C. HARREPETER (translator).
Versuch, beÿ angehender Frühlings-Zeit die Vergrößerungs Werckzeuge zum nützlich u[nd] angenehmen Zeitvertreib anzuwenden. Von dem Verfasser der Mikroskopischen Gemüths u[nd] Augen Ergözung. | Essai d'employer les instruments microscopiques avec utilité et plaisir dans la saison du printems par l'auteur des amusements microscopiques tant des yeux que de l'esprit.
Nuremberg, A.L. Wirsing, 1764. Folio. With an engraved hand-coloured title-page and 12 full-page hand-coloured engraved plates, numbered I-XII (bound VII-XII, I-VI). Contemporary blue-ish grey paper boards, with a large white paper title-label on the front board with in manuscript "Amusements Microscopiques par Harrepeter. 1764" and with the manuscript title ("Mikroscope") on the spine. 48 pp.
€ 9,500
First and only edition, printed on large paper, of Ledermüller's spring-themed work on microscopy. The text appears both in German, by Ledermüller, and in French, translated by Johann Conrad Harrepeter (dates unknown). The work has been beautifully illustrated with 12 detailed engraved plates showing a wide range of magnified flowering plants.
Martin Frobenius Ledermüller (1719-1769) was a German lawyer and natural scientist. He is mainly known for developing and enriching the research field of microscopic morphology - studying the internal structure of things through a microscope- and other renowned works on microscopy, such as Beobachtungen derer Saamenthiergens, durch die allerbesten Vergrößerungs-Gläser und bequemlichsten Microscope betrachtet (Nuremberg 1756) and Mikroskopische Gemüths- und Augen-Ergötzung (1761).
The binding is dust-soiled and shows signs of wear around the edges and corners of the boards, the head and foot of the spine are slightly damaged. The title-page is slightly foxed and browned, internally occasionally foxed. Otherwise in very good condition. Horn Schenkling 13094; Nissen, BBI 1160; Pritzel 5145; WorldCat 1435146114, 1121693803, 492509703, 561291734, 1157411571, 1070568053, 1123788656, 66968848, 1026162834 (30 copies); not in VD18.
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