Published in consecutive parts from 1790, Friedrich Justin Bertuch’s picture book for children provided a comprehensive overview of the knowledge of the time, including natural history and history. Over seven thousand copperplate engravings of the highest quality made it made it a work of unusual and hitherto unknown quality. Multilingual texts reflected the current state of knowledge at the time. Editions in Vienna and St. Petersburg attest to its great and lasting success.
A bibliography compiled by Ulrich Schäfer e.a. is now available as Volume 75 of the Weimarer Schriften, with an overview of the various publisher’s editions and a bibliographical description of all known volumes.
As said in the announcement Ulrich Schäfer has searched for editions of the book in libraries around the world and has now compiled his findings. For the first time, a complete picture of the astonishingly wide distribution of the picture book and its numerous variants has been created. An informative introduction provides a well-founded insight into the history and significance of the work. A selection of color illustrations illustrates the variety of topics covered and shows the high quality of the illustrations. The work is available on site at the Stadtmuseum Weimar in the Bertuchhaus (Germany), and can also be purchased from the Antiquariat Geisenheyner in Münster / Germany at a price of € 24.00.
Ulrich Schäfer: Friedrich Justin Bertuch’s picture book
A bibliographical index. At the same time a contribution to the bibliography of old German children’s books. Published by the Stadtmuseum Weimar in the Bertuchhaus 2024. 232 pages, color illustrated original paperback, with color frontispiece and 35 color plates ISBN: 978-3-910053-72-4