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Daniel Meisner and Eberhard Kieser - Sciographia Cosmica
We are pleased to offer a selection of extraordinary 17th century engravings featuring town views with emblematic imagery and verses. These original prints are from the 1678 edition of the monumental town atlas conceived by the poet Daniel Meisner and produced by the publisher Eberhard Kieser, published by Paulus Fürst in Nürnberg. First published as the Thesaurus Philo-politicus in 1623 and later known as the Sciographia Cosmica this series continued to be expanded under Kieser's supervision after Meisner's death in 1625, eventually comprising over 800 magnificient engravings.
Each engraving is distinguished by a motto above the image and emblematic verses (usually in Latin and German) beneath. The work is a fascinating combination of two popular genres - the Emblem Book and the Book of Town Plans, e.g. Braun and Hogenberg. The allegorical imagery is often cryptic, even bizarre - but always fascinating:
Among the master engravers and illustrators that contributed to this series, usually working from earlier sources, were Matthäus Merian, Sebastian Furck, Christian Stimmer and possibly Meisner himself, who conceived the work and contributed many of the verses. Meisner was born in what is now Chomutov in the Czech Republic (also known as Comothau or Komotau) but little is known about his life. The introduction to the work gives him the rather lofty title of "Poeta Laureatus", as is reflected in this circa 1625 portrait:
The prints are copperplate engravings measuring 15 x 10 cm, on sheet sizes usually ~ 18.5 x 15 cm. It is interesting to note that the detail in depicting the buildings and topography of the various towns and landmarks in these small prints often greatly surpasses that of larger and later views of the same cities. All prints are on fine hand made laid paper, often with a distinctive watermark. The modern hand colour is of the highest quality as can be judged from photos. The title of each print as listed below is a link that will open a page with a photo and description of each print - each page also has an instant purchase button for your convenience. If a photo link has not yet been added please contact us and we will immediately provide it. Please check back often as we will be adding more Meisner prints and images to this collection on a regular basis.
SWITZERLAND
SPAIN
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LEBRIJA
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OSUNA
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LOJA
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ARDALES
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ECIJA
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ARCHIDONA
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CENTRAL EUROPE
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CHOMUTOV
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BRNO
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PILSEN
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SLANY
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GROENLO
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MARTINSBERG
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SCHOMBOCK
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GRAN (ESZTERGOM)
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TABOR
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GYULA
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SERVAS
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SZIGETH
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KOMORN
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FÜLEK
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TOROKSCENTMIKLOS
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PAPA (VESZPRIM)
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POLNA
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WAITZEN (VACZ)
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SZEKESFEHERVAR
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TATA
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SZIKSZA
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SZOLNOK
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SANDOMIERZ
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SMOLENSK
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NORTHERN EUROPE
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HADERSLEBEN
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RIBE
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LUND
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LANDSKRONA
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HELSINGBORG
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BROUWERSHAVEN
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FRANCE, BENELUX & MISCELLANEOUS
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CAMBRAI
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CHALONS
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BEAUMONT
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VALENCIENNES
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REIMS
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CORDELIERS
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GRAVELINES
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DOUAY
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ST. OMAR
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FROIDCOURT
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DIJON
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MACON
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ANGERS
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LANDRECIES
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MONTPELLIER
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VINCENNES
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WALCOURT
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SLUIS
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TOUTENBURG
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HEMMEN
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NAMUR
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PLURS
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BETHUNE
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AMERSFORT
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GENT CASTLE
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OSTENDE
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SNEEK
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MONTARGIS
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VENLO
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LOEWENSTEIN
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ALOST
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BOELENHAM
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GRAEF
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PHILLIPEVILLE
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BRUEGGE
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CHIMAY
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HOY
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HELMONT
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RYSSEL
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BLANMONT
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TIRLEMONT
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ST. JULIUS
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SULMONA
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TANGIERS
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AVESNES
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