Jo. Bonifacius Bagatta - Admiranda Orbis Christiani - 1700

Title:
Admiranda orbis christiani

Author / Editor: Jo Bonifacius Bagatta

Place / Publisher / Year:
Augusta / Dillingen (Augsburg / Dillingen), Joannes Caspari Bencard, ., 1700

Format / Size:
Duodecimo / small octavo (ca. 25x19 cm)

Collation:

Volume One (Part 1): 4° or F°: [14] p., 494 p., [21] p.
Volume Two (Part 2): 4° or F°: [6] p., 542 p., [4] p.

Description:

To the printed title page is preceded by an artistically crafted full-page original copper engraving (frontispiece). The richly adorned Baroque allegory illustrates the book’s theme (Wonders of the Christian world in the macrocosm and microcosm). Details of the engraving: In the center is the globe with the inscription “Admiranda Orbis Christiani,” supported by a pedestal bearing the author’s details. Above it curves a band with the zodiac signs (Zodiak) under the Holy Spirit (dove) and the eye of Providence (triangle). At the sides stand biblical figures (including with scrolls such as “Dabo prodigia in Coelo...” after Joel 2) as well as worshipful rulers and indigenous peoples in the corners. Artist’s signature: Bottom right on the plate signed by the engraver: “L. Heckenauer sculp.” (Leonhard Heckenauer, Augsburg).

Condition:

Binding & Title Pages: The work is in its original contemporaneous binding and is notable for the preservation of both magnificent original title pages (the complete copper frontispiece as well as the red-black printed title page).

Defects / Limitations (Part 1): The first 14 unnumbered leaves (preliminaries) show only small wormholes along the lower white margin. The printed text and illustrations are completely unaffected; there is no loss of text and readability is unimpaired.

Defects / Limitations (Part 2): In the second part of the work (Volume Two) the last pages of the index also show small wormholes in the lower margin. Here too the text area is not affected, so usability and readability are completely preserved.

Overall impression: Overall a good, authentic and collectible copy in its original state with age-related, purely marginal signs of wear.