1631 Cologne Edition Signed Löffler Engravings, after Matthäus Merian
ICONES BIBLICAE
By After Matthäus Merian the Elder
KEY DETAILS
Condition: Good
Format: Hardcover, Oblong quarto (4to); Approx. 190 × 263 mm; Later, probably nineteenth-century, half vellum with vellum corners over speckled paper-covered boards; red morocco spine label lettered in gilt.
Published By: Cöllen [Cologne], in Verlegung Johann von Kreps, in der Quentelleyen, Germany, 1631
Language: Latin and German
Illustrated By: Johann Eckhard Löffler (Engraver)
Collation: pp. 129
Dust Jacket: None, as issued, No Jacket
SKU: BTETM0002700
Shipping Info: Approximate Package Dimensions H: 12.5, L: 30, W: 25 (Units: cm), W: 2Kg
Tracked Shipping, Insurance Coverage as per Customer Request
DESCRIPTION
ICONES BIBLICAE
Praecipuas Sacrae Scripturae Historias eleganter et graphice repraesentantes
Biblische Figuren, darinnen die furnembsten Historien in heiliger Göttliger Schrifft begriffen…
After Matthäus Merian the Elder
A highly attractive and uncommon seventeenth-century Cologne picture Bible, consisting almost entirely of copper-engraved biblical scenes and belonging to the influential visual tradition established by Matthäus Merian the Elder’s Icones Biblicae.
Printed at Cologne in 1631 for Johann von Kreps, the volume contains an engraved bilingual title followed by 128 full-page copper engravings depicting the principal narratives of the Old and New Testaments. The compositions derive from Merian’s celebrated biblical cycle, but the present Cologne issue is now more accurately understood as the work of a local engraving workshop in which Johann Eckhard Löffler played a significant role.
Several engravings in this copy are visibly signed I.E.L. fe., EL, or EL fe., confirming direct participation by Johann Eckhard Löffler. A detailed old bibliographical note preserved on the front pastedown records further signed and monogrammed plates throughout the volume, including examples marked L, EL, IEL and C.S. fe., and cites Merlo-Richartz. Modern Löffler scholarship independently records the 1631 Johann von Kreps Icones Biblicae within Johann Eckhard Löffler’s engraved oeuvre.
The engravings are particularly appealing for their combination of biblical narrative, architectural detail, landscapes, costume, ceremonial interiors and dramatic Baroque staging. The impressions in this copy are generally strong, dark and well-defined, with good surviving margins and comparatively little interference from staining or damage.
CONDITION, COLLATION & COPY NOTES
Good overall; engraved plates generally Very Good
Bound in attractive early twentieth-century decorative patterned-paper boards, with repeating floral decoration and black diamond-shaped gilt title label to the upper board reading Icones Biblicae / Köln / 1631. Binding with rubbing, surface wear and wear to the spine covering, especially at the head and foot, but remaining sound and visually attractive.
Engraved title present, with some age-toning, handling marks and old annotations. Plate leaves generally clean for age, with strong impressions and good contrast throughout. Scattered light toning, occasional spotting, marginal soiling and minor handling marks. Some leaves with old pencil numbering in the lower margins.
The plate count is physically complete at 128 engraved plate leaves, but the volume contains 127 distinct subjects. The Sacrifice of Isaac engraving occurs twice. Comparison of the surrounding prophetic sequence shows that the second occurrence replaces the expected Haggai — Propheta Haggaeus plate.
The anomaly appears to represent an early gathering or substitution error rather than simple later loss, since the full complement of 128 engraved plate leaves remains present.
Several plates bear visible engraved signatures including I.E.L. fe., EL and EL fe., confirming Johann Eckhard Löffler’s direct participation in the production.
A detailed old bibliographical annotation to the front pastedown records individual engraver signatures and monograms throughout the volume and cites Merlo-Richartz.
A handsome and highly visual seventeenth-century picture Bible, notable for its signed Löffler engravings, strong impressions, uncommon 1631 Cologne imprint and unusually well-documented plate anomaly.
Please see Photos as part of condition report.
REFERENCES
Merlo / Richartz, Kölnische Künstler in alter und neuer Zeit, no. 2
Hollstein, Johann Eckhard Löffler, no. 26
Modern Löffler work catalogue, LWV 002, Icones Biblicae, Johann von Kreps, Cologne, 1631
VD17, 1631 Cologne issue
SYNOPSIS
Icones Biblicae presents the principal narratives of Scripture as a continuous sequence of engraved images rather than as a conventional textual Bible.
The engravings move through the major episodes of the Old Testament, including the Creation, Patriarchs, Exodus, Judges, Kings and Prophets, before continuing into the principal events of the New Testament.
The work belongs to the seventeenth-century tradition of the Bilderbibel or picture Bible, in which biblical history was made accessible through visual narrative. Merian’s designs became especially influential because of their dramatic composition, architectural richness and ability to compress complex scriptural episodes into highly legible theatrical scenes.
The 1631 Cologne edition is particularly interesting because it represents an early reworking of the Merian tradition by Cologne engravers, with Johann Eckhard Löffler’s direct involvement confirmed by signed plates in the present copy.
AUTHOR BIO
Matthäus Merian the Elder (1593–1650) was one of the most influential engravers and publishers of seventeenth-century Europe. Born in Basel and later established in Frankfurt, he became celebrated for his topographical views, historical engravings, travel books and biblical illustration.
His Icones Biblicae established a highly influential visual vocabulary for biblical narrative, and its compositions were repeatedly copied, adapted and re-engraved across Europe during the seventeenth century.
ILLUSTRATOR
Johann Eckhard Löffler (Engraver)
The 1631 Kreps edition incorporates engraved compositions derived from Matthäus Merian’s biblical series but executed by Cologne engravers. Several plates in this copy are signed by Johann Eckhard Löffler, including examples bearing the forms I.E.L. fe., EL and EL fe., providing direct physical evidence for his participation.
Engravings principally associated with Johann Eckhard Löffler and other Cologne engravers
Johann Eckhard Löffler was a Cologne engraver active from around 1630 to 1675. He worked extensively in religious and book illustration and was associated with Cologne publishing during the middle decades of the seventeenth century.
His documented early signature form I.E.L. fe. appears on several plates in this copy. Modern scholarship places the 1631 Kreps Icones Biblicae within his oeuvre, while also noting that isolated Löffler monograms can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from those of other members of the family workshop.
1631 Cologne Edition Signed Löffler Engravings, after Matthäus Merian
ICONES BIBLICAE
By After Matthäus Merian the Elder
KEY DETAILS
Condition: Good
Format: Hardcover, Oblong quarto (4to); Approx. 190 × 263 mm; Later, probably nineteenth-century, half vellum with vellum corners over speckled paper-covered boards; red morocco spine label lettered in gilt.
Published By: Cöllen [Cologne], in Verlegung Johann von Kreps, in der Quentelleyen, Germany, 1631
Language: Latin and German
Illustrated By: Johann Eckhard Löffler (Engraver)
Collation: pp. 129
Dust Jacket: None, as issued, No Jacket
SKU: BTETM0002700
Shipping Info: Approximate Package Dimensions H: 12.5, L: 30, W: 25 (Units: cm), W: 2Kg
Tracked Shipping, Insurance Coverage as per Customer Request
DESCRIPTION
ICONES BIBLICAE
Praecipuas Sacrae Scripturae Historias eleganter et graphice repraesentantes
Biblische Figuren, darinnen die furnembsten Historien in heiliger Göttliger Schrifft begriffen…
After Matthäus Merian the Elder
A highly attractive and uncommon seventeenth-century Cologne picture Bible, consisting almost entirely of copper-engraved biblical scenes and belonging to the influential visual tradition established by Matthäus Merian the Elder’s Icones Biblicae.
Printed at Cologne in 1631 for Johann von Kreps, the volume contains an engraved bilingual title followed by 128 full-page copper engravings depicting the principal narratives of the Old and New Testaments. The compositions derive from Merian’s celebrated biblical cycle, but the present Cologne issue is now more accurately understood as the work of a local engraving workshop in which Johann Eckhard Löffler played a significant role.
Several engravings in this copy are visibly signed I.E.L. fe., EL, or EL fe., confirming direct participation by Johann Eckhard Löffler. A detailed old bibliographical note preserved on the front pastedown records further signed and monogrammed plates throughout the volume, including examples marked L, EL, IEL and C.S. fe., and cites Merlo-Richartz. Modern Löffler scholarship independently records the 1631 Johann von Kreps Icones Biblicae within Johann Eckhard Löffler’s engraved oeuvre.
The engravings are particularly appealing for their combination of biblical narrative, architectural detail, landscapes, costume, ceremonial interiors and dramatic Baroque staging. The impressions in this copy are generally strong, dark and well-defined, with good surviving margins and comparatively little interference from staining or damage.
CONDITION, COLLATION & COPY NOTES
Good overall; engraved plates generally Very Good
Bound in attractive early twentieth-century decorative patterned-paper boards, with repeating floral decoration and black diamond-shaped gilt title label to the upper board reading Icones Biblicae / Köln / 1631. Binding with rubbing, surface wear and wear to the spine covering, especially at the head and foot, but remaining sound and visually attractive.
Engraved title present, with some age-toning, handling marks and old annotations. Plate leaves generally clean for age, with strong impressions and good contrast throughout. Scattered light toning, occasional spotting, marginal soiling and minor handling marks. Some leaves with old pencil numbering in the lower margins.
The plate count is physically complete at 128 engraved plate leaves, but the volume contains 127 distinct subjects. The Sacrifice of Isaac engraving occurs twice. Comparison of the surrounding prophetic sequence shows that the second occurrence replaces the expected Haggai — Propheta Haggaeus plate.
The anomaly appears to represent an early gathering or substitution error rather than simple later loss, since the full complement of 128 engraved plate leaves remains present.
Several plates bear visible engraved signatures including I.E.L. fe., EL and EL fe., confirming Johann Eckhard Löffler’s direct participation in the production.
A detailed old bibliographical annotation to the front pastedown records individual engraver signatures and monograms throughout the volume and cites Merlo-Richartz.
A handsome and highly visual seventeenth-century picture Bible, notable for its signed Löffler engravings, strong impressions, uncommon 1631 Cologne imprint and unusually well-documented plate anomaly.
Please see Photos as part of condition report.
REFERENCES
Merlo / Richartz, Kölnische Künstler in alter und neuer Zeit, no. 2
Hollstein, Johann Eckhard Löffler, no. 26
Modern Löffler work catalogue, LWV 002, Icones Biblicae, Johann von Kreps, Cologne, 1631
VD17, 1631 Cologne issue
SYNOPSIS
Icones Biblicae presents the principal narratives of Scripture as a continuous sequence of engraved images rather than as a conventional textual Bible.
The engravings move through the major episodes of the Old Testament, including the Creation, Patriarchs, Exodus, Judges, Kings and Prophets, before continuing into the principal events of the New Testament.
The work belongs to the seventeenth-century tradition of the Bilderbibel or picture Bible, in which biblical history was made accessible through visual narrative. Merian’s designs became especially influential because of their dramatic composition, architectural richness and ability to compress complex scriptural episodes into highly legible theatrical scenes.
The 1631 Cologne edition is particularly interesting because it represents an early reworking of the Merian tradition by Cologne engravers, with Johann Eckhard Löffler’s direct involvement confirmed by signed plates in the present copy.
AUTHOR BIO
Matthäus Merian the Elder (1593–1650) was one of the most influential engravers and publishers of seventeenth-century Europe. Born in Basel and later established in Frankfurt, he became celebrated for his topographical views, historical engravings, travel books and biblical illustration.
His Icones Biblicae established a highly influential visual vocabulary for biblical narrative, and its compositions were repeatedly copied, adapted and re-engraved across Europe during the seventeenth century.
ILLUSTRATOR
Johann Eckhard Löffler (Engraver)
The 1631 Kreps edition incorporates engraved compositions derived from Matthäus Merian’s biblical series but executed by Cologne engravers. Several plates in this copy are signed by Johann Eckhard Löffler, including examples bearing the forms I.E.L. fe., EL and EL fe., providing direct physical evidence for his participation.
Engravings principally associated with Johann Eckhard Löffler and other Cologne engravers
Johann Eckhard Löffler was a Cologne engraver active from around 1630 to 1675. He worked extensively in religious and book illustration and was associated with Cologne publishing during the middle decades of the seventeenth century.
His documented early signature form I.E.L. fe. appears on several plates in this copy. Modern scholarship places the 1631 Kreps Icones Biblicae within his oeuvre, while also noting that isolated Löffler monograms can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from those of other members of the family workshop.
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