Abhandlung der Oekonomie - photo 1
Abhandlung der Oekonomie - photo 2
Abhandlung der Oekonomie - photo 3

Abhandlung der Oekonomie

Lot 48
02.02.2024 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
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$ 11 340
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
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Archive
ID 1129666
Lot 48 | Abhandlung der Oekonomie
Estimate value
$ 12 000 – 18 000
SPALOWSKY, Joachim Johann Nepomuk (1752-1797). Abhandlung der Oekonomie und der dazu gehörigen Wissenschaften. Vienna: Joseph Hraschanzky, 1787.

Sumptuous, first edition copy of this illustrated introduction to economics, coinage and current. This is the first and only volume published. Joachim Spalowsky is justly famous for his natural history illustrations; and the illustrations present here are equally striking, with frequent use of metallic paints to mimic gold, silver, bronze or copper. “The manner in which the hand-colored plates [of a another work by Spalowsky using the same technique] capture the iridescent quality has never been surpassed. This was achieved through the use of gold and silver leaf, in some cases heavily over-painted with watercolour” (Finlay and Garvey, Philip Hofer Bequest catalogue, 1988, no 112). This is a lovely copy, fresh and unpressed in a fine rococo binding, likely a presentation binding.

Spalowsky gives a thorough introduction to commercial arithmetic, accounting, coinage and banking, exchange and weights and measures. In all the work was meant to extend over twelve parts, of which only two, comprising the present work, were ever published. The plates show coins and banknotes, scales and weighing equipment, measuring vessels for wine, beer, grains, etc, and weights and measures along with fixed and hand scales. In his introduction Spalowsky writes of his problems in getting his work published. He mentions the existence of an anonymous sponsor, since his own funds were not sufficient for this lavish production. Spalowsky’s publications, both written and illustrated by him, are highly elusive and are among the rarest of natural history books. All feature highly finished engraved plates painted in gouache, and probably colored by Spalowsky himself. Most of Spalowsky's works were published privately with the help of financial subsidies from sponsors. This might account for minor variations in the composition of each book. The 73 coin plates here include over 1000 depictions. The coins are presented on silk ribbons within a festooned framework. Goldsmiths-Kress 13478.46 (lacking plate 21).

The frontispiece depicts a temple pedimented entry flanked by two columns and framing a central tableau in gold of people tilling the earth with a festoon of the fruits of the earth and space and scythe in grisaille, and above it on the pediment, also in grisaille, a presentation of the gifts of the earth and an altar; below in grisaille is a depiction of a hand emerging from a cloud striking rocks with a miner’s mallet and chisel. The plate was designed by Joseph Anton Kappeller (1761–1806), Austrian portrait painter to the Esterhazys. The five calligraphic plates were designed and engraved by Wenzel Engelmann (1748–1803). The colour plates are unsigned but probably the work of Spalowsky himself. The first five plates illustrate calligraphy styles suitable for financial contracts, banking documents and ledgers, etc. The following 28 plates depict units and implements for measuring weights and volumes (with the final three being devoted to paper currencies, showing a variety of banknotes in various denominations, seals, and models of exchange certificates. The 73 plates depict gold, silver, bronze and copper coins of the Austro-Hungarian empire and other territories throughout history, with over 1000 illustrated. The coins are presented on silk ribbons within a festooned framework.

Quarto (258 x 198mm). Hand-colored engraved frontispiece after J.A. Kappeller; 6 engraved calligraphic plates by Wenzel Engelmann printed in sanguine; 97 hand-colored engraved plates, almost all heightened in silver, gilt, copper, or other metallic pigments, two of which are folding and 73 of which are numbered depictions of coins, all unsigned but likely the work of Spalowsky himself; plus three wood-engraved and letterpress tables at end, two of which are printed on blue paper and one of which is folding (this folding blue paper table with old repaired tear not affecting the image; text block cracked in a few places). Contemporary green morocco gilt, spine gilt in compartments with raised bands, red morocco spine label, decorated endpapers, all edges gilt (label and edges a bit rubbed).
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