Lot of two botanical engravings from this scarce, monumental work. The plates were produced in a combination of etching and mezzotint engraving. This complex printing process, invented by Johann Teyler in the Netherlands around 1688, made possible delicate lines and a very fine grain. The addition of hand coloring brought about unusual and subtle effects that make these beautiful plates very desirable. Includes plates 139 and 966.

Weinmann’s major creation was Phytanthoza iconographia (1737-1745), a great project that comprised eight folio volumes with more than a thousand engravings of several thousand plants. One of the artists Weinmann employed was Georg Dionysius Ehret (1708-1770) who would become one of the foremost botanical illustrators of the eighteenth century. The text was written by the Regensburg physician, Dr. Johann Georg Nicolaus Dieterichs. Phytanthoza iconographia was published in both Latin and German.

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Condition: B+

Fine original color with a few insignificant spots mostly in the blank margins. Plate 966 has minor toning, a damp stain in bottom right corner, and some foxing, all confined to blank margins.