Jan Huygen van Linschoten
Itinerario, Voyage ofte Shipvaert. 1595-96
Estimate: € 100.000

Hamburg, 03 May 2012 (kk) – The Dutch travelogue by Jan Huygen van Linschoten, a copy in old coloring, is of highest rarity and will be called up with an estimate of € 100.000 at Ketterer Kunst in the auction of Rare Books in Hamburg on 21/22 May.

The work "Itinerario, Voyage ofte Shipvaert" had major influence on the expansion of the Netherlands in Asia, mainly because of the six copper maps that not only show the route to East India, but even made the region generally accessible for the first time. Van Linschoten compiled these maps on the basis of sea maps by Portuguese seafarers that had been kept secret for more than a century.

The auction is led by a Carondelet book of hours that has been estimated at € 250.000. The excellently preserved manuscript with 22 full-page and six small miniatures comes from the possession of the Burgundian chancellor Jean II. Carondelet and his progeny (see separate press report from April 25).

Another top rarity is the trial proof of the Hortus Eystettensis. The large botanic masterpiece by Basilius Besler will enter the race with an estimate of € 120.000. The four parts in one volume comprise 367 copperplates (of which nine colored) as well as a portrait of the author. The book was released in 1712, presumably as trial proof for the anniversary issue planned for the following year, however, the magnificent work on botany was not completed before 1750. The existence of this advance copy is proven by the contemporary correspondence on the one hand and by an illustration of the title leaf dated 1712 of the only known copy from the Bavarian State Library which is meanwhile lost.

Another great Baroque plant and flower book could perhaps be obtained for an estimate of € 50.000: Johann Wilhelm Weinmann's "Phytanthoza iconographia" was published in four volumes from 1737 to 1745. The basis for this work was the comprehensive collection of plant illustrations of the Regensburg apothecary Weinmann. The work is not only remarkable for its content, but also for its form, as this is the first botanic work using the so-called English color proof method.

The offerings are completed by a Limoges enamel work "Throning Mary with Jesus" for a book cover (1190-1220, estimate: € 25.000) and Conrad Felixmüller's individually colored picture book "ABC. Ein geschütteltes, geknütteltes Alphabet in Bildern mit Versen" (estimate: € 8.000), as well as by a vellum print from the Cranach-Press estimate: € 12.000) and by Markus Elieser Bloch's "Oeconomische Naturgeschichte der Fische". The latter will be called up with an estimate of € 18.000. It is not only the 18th century’s main ichthyologic work, but also one of the most important contributions to the iconography of ichthyology for its monumental illustrations.br />
Last but not least, a rare leaf from an album amicorum with autographed entries by Friedrich Hölderlin from 1839 is definitely worthwhile mentioning. The autograph originates from the poet's later phase of life and is likely to be much sought –after, for it was made in his time in the Tübinger Tower when Hölderlin was already deranged. The estimate is at € 15.000. Besides Rare Books, Manuscripts, Autographs and Decorative Prints, the auction also includes works of Maritime and Northern German Art. While the latter has works by Louis Gurlitt and Thomas Herbst to offer, the section of Maritime Art comprises art by, among others John Henry Mohrmann and Hans Bohrdt. Special attention goes to Johannes Holst's oil painting "Segelschiff 'Herzogin Cecilie'". Made in 1963, the work in a size of 80 x 120 will be called up with an estimate of € 6.000.

The De Gros-Carondelet Book of Hours will be called up on 21 May as lot number 6 at around 5 p. m.

Since it was founded in 1954, Ketterer Kunst has been firmly established in the front ranks of auction houses dealing in art and rare books, with its headquarters in Munich and a branch in Hamburg. Gallery rooms in Berlin as well as representatives in Heidelberg and Krefeld have contributed substantially to the company's success. In addition, exhibitions, special theme and charity auctions as well as online auctions are regular events at Ketterer Kunst.