The Basler Toten dance

A rare copy of the Basel Totentanz edition by Matthäus Merian (1593-1650) with German-French text and the coats of Jacques-Anthony Chovin, here in the third edition and the title of the first edition of 1744. "Death dance, as the same in the lit. World-famous city of Basel, as a mirror of human nature, artificially painted and seen. After the original in copper brought along with a description of the city of Basel. ". The engravings were made by Jacques Antony Chovin (1720-1776). Printed in Basel by Johann Rudolf Imhof, 1744 & 1789. With 43 copper plates and engraved title. The last blackboard with the remarkable image of the vexier - a representation which can be read from two sides. This first shows the portrait of a man with a wide pointed collar, from which a grinning death skull develops - rotated by 180 °. Complete work in very good condition. 190 num. Pages. 1 white sheet. One column pressure. Text in German and French. Sheet size: 20.5 x 16.5 cm. Marbled cardboard cover of the time with an empty paper shield on the back. Cover rubbed, corners bumped. Book block and binding. In good condition. Paper little browned, the titles and elsewhere in the outer margin somewhat brown-stained. Report front cover with French manuscript about the work. On the first copperplate a further handwritten note and folded paper strips with a manuscript to Jean Oecolompad, depicted on this panel. Strong print and very firm handmade paper.