Very rare suite of 14 beautiful engravings originally made by Theodoor Galle (Antwerp, n.d.) and mentioned in the inventory of his widow, Catherina Moerentorff, 20 May 1636: "Cleyn Apostellen in ovael, veerthien platen" (Denucé (1927), p. 147; Duverger (1989), nr. 893). The plates were re-published by his son Johan (1600-1676), the third generation proprietor of the family business that was founded in Haarlem in 1563, by his grandfather Philip Galle (1537-1612). He signed the first unnumbered plate of Christ with his name: "Joan. Galle excud.". Moved to Antwerp, the firm was continued by Theodoor and later Johan who also combined the roles of engraver, printer, publisher, and print-seller, and became a master in the Antwerp Guild of St. Luke in 1627 and its dean in 1638.
In his inventory, dated 6 February 1677 (Duverger (1999), no. 3193, p. 179), this series in mentioned as "De 12 Apostelen. 14 platen", including (1) Christus Salvator, signed: "Ioan Galle excud."; 1. S. Petrus; 2. S. Andreas; 3. S. Jacobus Maior; 4. S. Johannes; 5. S. Philippus; 6. S. Bartholomaeus; 7. S. Matthaeus; 8. S. Thomas; 9. S. Iacobus Minor; 10. S. Thadeus; 11. S. Simon; 12. S. Matthias; 13. S. Paulus (the 13th Apostle).
With a small catalogue clipping mounted on the front pastedown, the protective tissue leaves are slightly creased and occasionally very slightly foxed (not affecting the other leaves). Overall in very good condition. Edition of Joan. Galles extensive Stocklist of ca. 1650 by: Peter Fuhring, The Stocklist of Johannes Galle ..., in: Simiolus, 39/3 (2017), pp. 225-313: here the series is mentioned under no. 22 (nos. 591-604); E. Denucé, Prentenhandel Theodoor Galle en Catharina Moerendorff: invertaris van 1636, in: Antwerps Archievenblad, 2nd series, 2 (1927), pp. 136-151; Duverger, Antwerpse kunstinventarissen uit de 17e eeuw. 14 vols. (1984-2009), vol. 4, pp. 8-24, nr. 893, inv. of Cathatrina Moerentorff; Id., vol. 10, pp. 176-183, nr. 3193 (Inv. Joh. Galle, 6 February 1677).