GILTWOOD FRAMED ENGRAVING OF SHELLS, JOHANN SAMUEL SCHROTER.Johann Samuel Schroter (German, 1753-1788). Published Nuremberg, 1782. Giltwood framed, of the period, engraving depicting shells, from the volume Musei Gottwaldiani Testaceorum (xxxxx.x). Professionally framed in silk mat, giltwood fillet, uv plexiglass and giltwood moulding.
'Johann Samuel Schröter was a German Protestant pastor since 1763, who was also a conchologist, who published a number of volumes related to natural history. These shell prints come from Johann Samuel Schröter's Musei Gottwaldiani testaceorum, stellarum marinarum et coralliorum, published in Nuremberg in 1782. The work illustrates shells, coral, and marine specimens. The copper plates had been engraved almost a century before the publication of this work at the behest of Christophorus Gottwald. Gottwalk was a physician in Danzig who had created one of the largest collection of natural history objects in Germany. Gottwald had wanted to publish a catalogue of his shell collection, but it was never published. Many years later the bookseller Raspe obtained the copperplates and commissioned Schröter to write the descriptive text for the work which was published in 1782. Gottwald's shell collection was acquired by Peter the Great for the St. Petersburg Museum. Peter the Great also purchased the collections of Ruysch, Seba, and Gottwald's son, Johann Christoph.' - Image size: 12 5/8" x 8" wide. Framed: 19 3/16" high x 14 3/8" wide. Estimate $150-200
From the Collection of The Old Print Gallery, Washington, DC.
Good color and impression. Moulding in good condition.
