Lot 194: KASSEL 1596 -- DILICH, Wilhelm (1571-1655). Historische Beschreibung der Fürstlichen Kindtauff Fräwlein Elisabethen zu Hessen Welche im Augusto des 1596 Jahrs zu Cassel gehalten worden mit beygelegten Abrissen der Ritterspiele so damals

KASSEL 1596 -- DILICH, Wilhelm (1571-1655). Historische Beschreibung der Fürstlichen Kindtauff Fräwlein Elisabethen zu Hessen Welche im Augusto des 1596 Jahrs zu Cassel gehalten worden mit beygelegten Abrissen der Ritterspiele so damals vollnbracht. Kassel: Wilhelm Wessel, 1598.

7 parts in one volume. 4o (284 x 202 mm). Engraved title, 2 woodcut coat-of-arms and 45 engraved plates (29 double-page and 6 folding) (approximately 11 plates partially remargined, some darkening and light staining). Contemporary vellum (bowed, some staining). Provenance: Hippolyte Destailleur (bookplate); E.F.D. Ruggieri, book collector and member of the Ruggieri family of pyrotechnic specialists (bookplate).

VERY RARE FIRST EDITION. This edition was followed by a second edition in 1601. A record of the festival held at Kassel in August 1596 in honor of the baptism of ELIZABETH (1596-1625) of Hessen-Kassel, daughter of MORITZ (1572-1625) Landgrave of Hessen-Kassel, and the tournament held at that occasion. The festivities ended with fireworks. The illustrations are by Dilich who etched similar works, and the topographic survey of Hesse Hessische Chronica (1605) which had a great influence on Merian. Lipperheide Sbd 1; Vinet 728.

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. 12 June 2009 . New York, Rockefeller Plaza