(Dahlberg,E.v.). Lot n° 1528

Suecia antiqua et hodierna. 3 vols. in 1 vol. (Stockholm, 1693-1715). With 354 (incl. 3 titles, 44 folded) copper plates, 13 pages of index (mounted as plates). Ldr. of the 17th cent. (partly scuffed and damaged, small tears). British Arch. Library 772 (detailed history of origins). Millard Coll. 16. ornamental engraving coll. Berlin 2256. Lipperheide Haa 3. Collijn 1600-talet Sp. 197. Warmholtz 207. - Splendid work of views and one of the most precious books ever produced in Sweden. "...on the whole, an invaluable source of art history and, moreover, a quite outstanding artistic achievement" (Thieme/B. VIII, 276) - The work was produced at the king's expense and was originally intended only for donations. The architect and military engineer Erik Jönsson von Dahlberg, who was entrusted with the publication, engaged well-known engravers from all over Europe for the realization of his drawings. The inspiration for the publication of the work came mainly from the topographies and the Theatrum Europaeum of Matth. - The (lacks the additional plate Templum Ulricae Eleonorae, a plate with a mended tear in the lower margin, some foxing). Title, text and all plates trimmed to platemark and laid in later (19th century) wide-margined paper. Nice impressions. Partly at the lower. With 354 engraved plates (missing the extra plate Templum Ulricae Eleonorae, one plate with mended tear in lower margin, some foxing). Title, text and all plates cut to platemark and inset in later (19th century) paper with wide margins. Fine impressions. With 13-page index at the end mounted as plates. Late 17th century black calf, somewhat worn, gilt and blindtooled borders, title in gold on upper board, richly gilt spine in seven compartments, red edges. Lower edge with some inkstains. This magnificient work is illustrated with amongs others 3 titles, portraits of kings Charles XI and XII, author's portrait by S. Blesendorff, maps (i.a. "Veteris orbis arctoi typus" and "Nova et accurata orbis arctoi tabula geographica"), coat-of-arms of Sweden, views of monuments, settlements, manors, fortifications, cities (Stockholm, Uppsala), castles, gardens, ancient relics, etc.. During his military service and studies in Germany, Erik Dahlberg (16251703) became acquainted with Matthaeus Merian the younger, the publisher of "Theatrum Europaeum" and the "Topographies". On his return to Sweden in 1661, Dahlberg obtained a privilege from the Government to make drawings for a similar publication. The engravings for this work were executed from these drawings by a total of 18 artists except for a few, which were based on drawings by David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl and Elias Brenner. The project began in 1667 and the plates were engraved by many contemporary well-known European artists, Jean Marot, A. Perelle, Joh. Jacob von Sandrart, Lepautre, Dionysius Padtbrugge, E. Reitz, W. Swidde, J. van Aveelen, etc..