Ridinger, Johann Elias (Ulm 1698 – Augsburg 1767). The Aurochs. Recte the European Bison. Bull standing to the left. Toned lithograph by Hermann Menzler printed by A. Renaud for L. J. Heymann in Berlin. (1863-65.) Inscribed: Gez. v. J. E. Ridinger, lith. v. H. Menzler etc., otherwise in German as above. 25.5 x 29.6 cm.

(Joh. El. Ridinger’s Hunting Album) I/13. – Comp. sheet 37 of the “View of the Wild Animals”, Thienemann 232. – From the “(Representation of the best known Game of Central Europe together with Scents or Traces)” carried as 1^st part. – The whole rare set almost unknown to literature and practically to be completed just peu à peu comprises 80 sheets plus a recently discovered illustrated title of far larger image size (47.5 x 36 cm), partly compressed to their principal motif or varied in the environment. So in the case here the bull alone and without Brockes’ verses and thus

a  first  degree  enrichment  of  collections .

And beyond that:

“ This is the very true and masterly well executed illustration of the rare Bonasus, or European Bison … with good reasons this good plate has been imitated several times ”

(Thienemann).

In the picture effect corresponding to that of the aquatint technique not used by Ridinger anymore. – On wide-margined light cardboard of impeccable freshness excepting some little weak brownspots in the outer right white margin.
Offer no. 28,431 / EUR  302. / Export price EUR  287. (c. US$ 419.) + shipping

Presently available here :
Johann Elias Ridinger’s Hunting Album
77 (of 80) toned lithographs
in optically quite particular-fine garb
as well as
a rich selection of single sheets

“ … I was digging and I found you. I needed to tell you that your collection for whatever reason has brought tears to my eyes. Thank you … I’m not a collector, or I haven’t known myself to be … I was going to sell this (sheet), but I just may have discovered that I’m to keep this for whatever reason. Have you made a collector out of me … For all your devotion, hardwork … I thank you ”

(Mrs. D. H., June 17, 2002)