BESLER BOTANICAL PRINTS

Besler, Basilius. HORTUS EYSTETTENSIS. (THE GARDEN OF EICHSTAEDT). Nuremberg, 1613

When Johann Konrad von Gemmingen, Prince Bishop of Eichstaedt (a place about 60 kilometers north of Munich) gave the Nuremberg apothecary and botanist Basilius Besler (1561 - 1629) the order to publish a book with engravings of flowers and plants, he had something special in mind.The result of his efforts was more than special. It was magnificent. Divided into the four seasons of the year, Besler and his crew, among them famous Wolfgang Kilian of Augsburg, succeeded in creating the most spectacular flower book of all times. On 367 folio size plates (average size of printed surface 55 x 44 cm - 21.7 x 17.3") over 1000 flowers, representing 667 species are depicted. It took 16 years to complete this outsanding work. Copies of this book have become very rare as the demand for the beautiful prints has increased over the past years. Just look at our images and you'll see why.

Exquisite modern coloring according to the Besler owned by the University Library of Eichstaedt (name giver of book). Unless otherwise noted, all prints are in good condition. Prints have normal age toning. The 17th Century paper of the prints is always a bit rough and uneven with some miniscule spotting.

13 I Guaiacana

II Ligustrum

Page Size: 52.3 X 45.6 (20.5 x 17.9 ")

$ 1800

Order Nr. BESLER5034

8 I Anagyris angustisfolis

II Anagyris latifolys

Small fold in lower left-hand corner.

$ 1750.00

Order Nr. 5018 SOLD

I. Caltha palustris flore multiplici.
II. Viola Martia Canina.
III. Centianella minima verna flore cÏruleo.


Small repaired tears in right margin. Some miniscule orange spots
in image and a bit of text showing lightly from backside.
Light creasing (not disturbing) in image.

$ 1900.00

Order Nr. BESLER 5024

I. Geranium Sanguinarium.
II. Geranium Macrorbizon.
III: Geranium Tuberosium.

Print has minimal creasing that is hardly noticeable.
Print has two water stains in upper margin and one in left margin.
Small repair in lower left margin corner, print from backside shows
lightly through in a few places and in right margin are miniscule
holes from book binding.

$ 1880.00

Order Nr. BESLER 5039

I Meleagris flos maximus Italicus.

II Fritillaria flore pleno.

III Fritillaria Alba

Print has brown lines near the outer margin from previous framing. Overall light age toning.
Left margin has been reinforced. A few minor spots. Small crease in lower right corner.

Page size: 55 x 43.5 cm ( 21.6 x 17.1 ")

$ 1750.00

Order Nr. BESLER5054

I Aquilegia Stellata flore violaceo.

II Aguilegia flore pleno purpurpeo.

III Aguilegia flore pleno incarnato.

Horizontal creases in middle area and in margins.
Some text showing from backside. Small piece of lower right margin corner is missing.

Page size: 58 x 46 cm ( 22.8 x 18.1")

$ 1750.00

Order Nr. BESLER5053 SOLD

I. Caryophyllus multiplexso, Ins florumexrubro & albo
dimidiatiatim diusissetpunctatis.
II. Caryophyllus multiplex flore carneo.
III. Caryophyllus purpeus flore multiplici profunde laciniato.

In the center of print is a horizontal crease on each side reaching almost to center area.
There are a few other creases. None of the creases is really disturbing. Right edge is
frayed from binding. There is a small (almost invisible) paper repair from backside on the dark
roots of center image.Upper and left edges have slight browning.

$ 2800.00

Order Nr. BESLER 5009 SOLD

I Nymphaea alba maior.

II Nymphaea alba minor.

III Nymphaea lutea.

Some print from backside is visible on frontside.
A few very light horizontal creases in middle area.
Light ink smearing from time of printing.

Page size: 54 x 42 cm ( 21.2 x 16.5 ")

$ 2100.00

Order Nr. BESLER5057

I Aloe (Title is printed in roots.)

Print from backside shows through on frontside. Handwritten title (Aloe variegata) and number in upper right corner. Light water stain in lower left corner. Light lines in outer margins where print was once framed.

Page size: 54 x 42.5 cm ( 21.2 x 16.7 ")

$1900.00

Order Nr. BESLER 5055

I. Ononis luteo flore.
II. Anonis non spinosa.
III. Anonis spinosa.

Print was photographed with matting.
Very small, repaired tear in left margin. On the margin edges are small, brown spots. Thin crease in lower right corner. The right plant and some text showing very lightly from backside of print.

$ 1850.00

Order Nr. BESLER 5040

I Acoruscumsuoiulo

II Scordium

III Chamaedrys

Print has hand-written number in upper left corner. Light brown lines near outer margin from previous framing.

Page size: 56.2 x 44.5 cm ( 22.1 x 17.5 ")

$ 1900.00

Order Nr. BESLER5051

177 I Consolida regalis Aruensis flore variegato

II Consolidas regalis multiplici flore argento

III Consolidas regalis multiplici cinericeo

$ 2000.00

Order Nr. BESLER 5026

298 I Sedum vulgare

II Sedumpalustre flore incarnato

III Sedum minus causticatum

IV Sedum minus sive vermicularis

V Clans terrae et Pseudoapios

Vi Pisum magnum pere grinum

Light print from reverse side shows through image. Small margins.

Print has overall light age toning. Light horizontal middle crease.

Page size: 52.5 x 42.5 cm ( 20.6 x 16.7 ")

$1900.00

Order Nr. BESLER 5028

I Lychnis coronaria flore rubro pleno.

II Lyhnis coronaria flore incarnato punctata.

III Lychnis coronaria flore incarnato non punctata.

Print has fraying and repairs on left margin edge.

Page size: 57 x 45.5 cm ( 22.4 x 17.9 ")

$ 2300.00

Order Nr. BESLER5059

I Asphodelus maior albus.
II Cinosochis flore purpeo.
III Fumarrar rubra tenuifolia.

Repair in lower left corner. Paper repaired. Lower title partially renewed.

Page size: 51.2 x 41.2 cm ( 20.1 x 16.2 ")

$ 1950.00

Order Nr. BESLER5050

I Hyacinthus Comosus spurius
II Hyacinthus Anglic Cinericeus
III Palma Christi maculata
IIII Draunculus Aguatilis

Light lines on margin edges from previous framing. Tiny repair in lower left margin corner.
Very light text showing from backside.

57.5 x 44.5 cm ( 22.6 x 17.5 ")

$ 1500.00

Order Nr. BESLER5049

Botanical Index - Links to Other Botanicals

E-Mail

Terms of Sale - Lieferbedingungen

Home Page