Spotlight

RINGLE, Johann Jacob (1615-1678). Amictus Senatus tam Politi: quam Academ: Mulierum Virgin: populiq[ue] Basileensis accurate delineatus a M. Ioh: Iacobo Ringle Tertiae class: Praecept: ordi.  No place, no date [Basel, c. 1650]. Oblong 8vo (152 x 195 mm). Title within a grotesque border and 18 costume plates, all engraved. 19th century buckram backed marbled boards, label on spine. Corners somewhat scuffed; toned throughout, some dampstaining, far heavier in the first  leaves; one leaf cut close at foredge (no loss). - French translation of the title on the flyleaf resp. the captions in the margins, in brown ink by a 19th-century hand. 

Ringle was the son of Johann Sixtus, a little-known painter from Basel. He studied theology and was appointed a teacher at the Gymnasium in his hometown in 1650, a position he held until his death. To posterity, however, Ringle is better known as a painter and engraver, particularly for his magnum opus, the 18 costume engravings present here. He also provided several painted coat-of-arms for the register of the University of Basel and a map-like view of Liestal for Merians 1642 edition of the Topographia Helvetica.

Very rare! We could trace only six copies in institutions: Norrköpings Stadsbibliotek, Sweden; BN, Paris; Kunstbibliothek, Berlin Lipperheide collection (title in reproduction); University Library, Vienna; Historisches Museum, Basel; University Library, Basel (lacking title).

PROVENANCE: Charles de Biencourt (1826-1914), and subsequently, by descent, the Viscountess de Poncins (1859–1954), née Marguerite Montaigne de Poncins, the niece and sole heir of the Marquis de Biencourt, with their resp. bookplates. - Heinrich Sarasin-Koechlin, 1886-1964 with his bookplate.

REFERENCES: Brun, Schweizerisches Künstler-Lexikon II, 634; Lipperheide 916 (title in facsimile); Hiler & Hiler 752; not in Colas.

PRICE: CHF 4800