Lotichius - Rerum Germanicarum - 1646

Lotichius Johann Peter

Rerum Germanicarum

Francoforte ad Moenum - 1646 -
Wolfgang Hoffmanni
Impensa Matthaei Meriani

(38), 8, (2), 1154, (22) p.
In folio - 34 X 21 cm -

THE HISTORY OF THE THREE HABSBURG REALMS, WITH A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE THIRTY YEARS' WAR.

Contains 52 splendid double-page plates (one more than once folded), engraved by Matthaeus Merian (1593/1650), which provide meticulous depictions of maps, plans, and military dislocations in the medieval towns of the era.
Also present is a full-page portrait of Lotichius, in addition to 8 plates of portraits, depicting 12 small portraits per plate (96 portraits in total).
BRUNET III 1180
GRAESSE IV 264

A fundamental historical work, published in its first edition in Frankfurt by Hoffmann and Merian.
The author, esteemed physician and professor of Medicine, Johann Peter Lotichius (1598/1669), was appointed Official Historian of the Holy Roman Empire.

The text lists 55 books that recount the political, military and cultural events of the Holy Roman-German Empire and the neighboring kingdoms from 1617 (the start of the Thirty Years' War) to 1633 (the death of Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden).

An important primary and detailed source for historians, with a focus on the involvement of Matthias and Ferdinand II and III.

After a few years from the printing of this first edition, a second volume appeared in the year 1650.

Wonderful contemporary binding in full leather, with elaborate gold decorations on the five spine nerves.
A centerpiece in red morocco bearing the author and title in a double frame, all gilded.
Decorations on the raised bands.
Some small worm-eaten traces punctiform on the spine.
Nevertheless the binding is perfectly preserved.

Very good also the condition of the interiors.
Physiological light browning of the pages.
However the 52 double-page engravings, including the plate repeatedly folded, appear perfectly preserved.
Rare marginal wormholes.
Edges originally sprinkled with minium.
Covers and endpapers decorated contemporaneously.

Excellent copy.