Beytrag zur Naturgeschichte der Vogel.

Luxurious copy with original watercolours. Unique copy of one of the rarest works of zoological book illustration, from the library of the banker, art collector, and patron Moritz von Fries (1777-1826), for whom the set was in all likelihood specially produced. Fries was considered without doubt the richest man in the Habsburg Empire in the years surrounding 1800.

The splendid engraved plates were elaborately illuminated, each with rich botanical and architectural decoration extending beyond the engraved matter. In addition, the copy has been enhanced by the addition of 15 original watercolours (all in vols. V and VI), whereas the regular copies contain only prints. The only verifiable complete copies, in the Austrian National Library (ÖNB) and the Bavarian State Library (BSB), show less splendid decoration, with only three watercolours each in the respective volumes and no watercolour borders whatsoever. The Fideicommissum collection in the ÖNB holds 5 illuminated volumes of Spalowsky's work, with volume V containing the highest number of watercolours among all copies available for comparison. As the final volume is lacking in the Fideicommissum collection, the eight watercolours and splendid framings of vol. VI of Fries's copy are probably unique. Since 1932, the only copies traceable at auction were those at Ketterer, 2017 (vols I-IV) and Christie's, 2012 (vols I-III). The volumes sold in 2017, along with the ones at the ÖNB and BSB, belong to the normal edition without the watercolour embellishment and the artist's colouring, while the copy sold at Christie's would seem to have been at least comparable to Fries's in respect to its décor. However, neither the Christie's copy nor any of the others discussed above include any original watercolours, which are to be found in that of Fries's alone.

The splendid bird illustrations surrounded by landscape motifs and architectural decoration are labelled in red ink, identifying the animals' German and scientific names. The labelling is sometimes overpainted, suggesting that the decision to extend the watercolour décor was made at a later stage. The engravings were produced by five artists, among whom were Benedikt Piringer and Sámuel Czetter. In vol. V of the Fideicommissum copy, Piringer signed one of the watercolours, showing that he provided templates for the engravers and contributed to the colouring. Spalowsky's Naturgeschichte der Vögel was planned as part of a large natural history publication. In a subscription announcement from 1791 the surgeon and army physician advertised the plates showing species "previously not illustrated by any author" and promises the vivid, realistic colour 'of the originals'. A large proportion of the species depicted, including four falcons, originate from Asia, mostly from India and China, and are not to be found in Brisson's or Buffon's works. The present copy constitutes a special edition of the most expensive version of decoration, priced at 36 guilders - 15 times the cost of the basic version.

Spalowsky did succeed in wooing several prominent dedicatees for his elaborate publication. The Naturgeschichte der Vögel is dedicated to Alois I Joseph von Liechtenstein and Caroline von Manderscheid-Blankenheim (vol. 1), Beethoven's patron Franz Joseph Maximilian von Lobkowitz and Caroline Theresa von Schwarzenberg (vol. IV), Wenzel count Paar and Maria Antonia Princess Liechtenstein (vol. V), as well as Anton Theodor von Colloredo-Waldsee-Mels, archbishop of Olmütz (vol. VI).

Vols. I, IV, V, & VI (of 6); 4to; (10), 20; (10), 40; (14), 33; (12), 19 pp., with 2 watercolour & 4 coloured engraved coats of arms, 1 coloured engraved dedication plate, 183 (of 186) plates of birds, 15 of which in watercolour and 168 on splendidly illuminated engraved plates, partly heightened in gold, silver and copper, with rich watercolour borders; contemporary glazed red morocco with gilt floral tooling, engraved spine labels, vols. IV-VI with coloured armorial supralibros to upper covers; calico endpapers, all edges gilt, marginal flaw to armorial supralibros of vol. V, lacks 3 plates (plate 2 in vol. I, plates 6 and 39 in vol. V); index & plate 42 in vol. IV have small flaws, plate 31 in vol. I, plate 43 in vol. IV, & plate 44, as well as one armorial engraving in vol. V slightly smudged.

Fine Bird Books p. 143; Nissen (IVB), 888; Schlenker 345.1; Wurzbach XXXVI.56.