Weigel, Christoph; Abbildung und Beschreibung derer samtlichen Berg-Werks-Beamten und Bedienten nach ihrem gewohnlichen Rang und Ordnung im behorigen Berg-Habit. AND Abbildung und Beschreibung derer samtlichen Schmeltz-Hutten-Beamten und Bedienten nach ihrem gewohnlichen Rang und Ordnung im behorigen Hutten-Habit. Nuremberg: the author, 1721. Facsimile reprint: Herausgegeben von der Gewerkschaft Eisenhütte Westfalia. Mit einem Vorwort von Heinrich Winkelmann. Lünen,, 1955. Large octavo, pp. 6, colored plate which is half title, red and black title page, 6, 23, 24 additional colored plates, 2nd half title colored plate, red and black title page to part two, 16, 24 additional colored plates.
The work is complete and in the original 1950s calf with gilt spine panels and gilt spine titles. The binding is tight, light rubbing to boards and edges. The text and all plates are clean and bright. Penned inscription on first free end sheet dated Xmas 1955. In very good condition.
Weigel, (1654-1725)) was a German engraver, art dealer and publisher. He is especially noted for his copper engravings in which he depicts the various crafts and industries and the people who worked in those fields. Each engraving would be based on life.
His 1725 work provided nearly 50 engravings depicting the workers, mine managers, mine owners and staff involved in the metal mining industry. The people are in their customary clothing orc uniform with the tools of the mining and metal-working trade. Each is shown against a background of a mine, mine furnaces and machinery. Wiegel provides an extensive insight into the technical life and activity of miners and mining. The original complete two part work from 1725 is very rare and brings over $4500 at auction. The 1955 facsimile reprint is quite beautiful and faithfully reproduces the original colors.
