Fifth edition, printed from the plates of the 1771 first edition, of an extremely rare and richly decorative weaver's sample book containing about 300 models for weaving cloth in all sorts of patterns (some wholly abstract, some with acorns, flowers, trees, etc.) and colours. The title-page indicates that it intended for master and journeyman weavers, as well as amateurs. Kirchenbaum (1725-1782) was a master weaver in Heilbronn. Some of the patterns create odd visual affects reminiscent of 1960s op-art. Others resemble patchwork quilt patterns. Since all follow the grid of the warp and woof they foreshadow today's digital art based on a grid of pixels. All editions are extremely rare. We have located only one other copy of the present edition, at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam.
The letterpress text provides explanations plate by plate and also includes the text of Kirchbaum's preface to the first edition of 1771 and the publisher's new preface for the present 1836 edition.
With an 1839 purchase inscription. He or another early owner drew a weaving pattern on the back of one leaf in brown ink. This ink drawing has bled through, slightly affecting the pattern in plate 43. The book is otherwise in very good condition (remarkably good for this sort of practitioner's model book), with an unobtrusive water stain in many leaves and the fore-edge margin of one leaf extended. The binding is rubbed and there is a chip in the spine. A rare weaver's model book: an essential primary source for the history of weaving, cloth and folk art. WorldCat (1 copy); cf. Berlin Kat 1666-1667 (1771 & 1793 eds.); not in Lotz.