Merian’s innovative approach influenced important naturalists and artists such as Mark Catesby, William Bartram, and John James Audubon, who all depicted animals and their plants’ hosts and habitats.With more than 250 illustrations in fine original hand-colour, the two works offered by Shapero Rare Books are especially remarkable for their binding: both volumes are presented in the same dark blue luxurious binding, which is of exceptional rarity. This set brings together the first editions in French of each work, both published in Amsterdam.

During her work on the insects of Surinam, Merian made use of the cabinet of an Amsterdam apothecary, Albertus Seba, because of the extraordinary array of natural rarities it contained. A compulsive collector of everything natural and unusual, Seba put together one of the most remarkable cabinets de curiosités, also called Wunderkammern.

To celebrate his achievement, Seba embarked on publishing an illustrated description of the collection. This resulted in one of the most lavish and curious natural history works, an impressive, 8-volume book, published over 30 years. These remarkable folios boast about 450 engravings, all coloured by hand, with striking compositions showing plants, fossils, minerals and all sorts of animals including a seven-headed hydra! This is a fantastic complement to Merian’s masterpieces, and Shapero Rare Books is especially proud to have the opportunity to present them all side by side.

TEFAF Maastricht. March 10-19, 2017

Shapero Rare Books has exhibited at TEFAF for over 20 years, and one of the few dealers selected specializing in rare books and decorative prints.