Andenken Franzensbad

Leporello with twelve panels, each with an oval hand-colored lithographic cameo view of a building or landmark, mostly exterior, in Franzensbad, a renowned Bohemian spa, or one of the nearby spa towns including Eger. These spas are located in what is now the Czech Republic, and at the time this leporello was issued, was a part of Austria. While their natural springs were known as far back as the 14th century, they became fashionable resorts in the early 19th century, attracting the Emperor, wealthy Russians, Goethe, Beethoven and many other notables such as Theodor Herzl. N.d., circa 1840. Measuring 10.5 by 7.5 when closed. Each of the oval cameos is 5 cm at its greatest height, 7 cm across at its widest. Depicted are the Salzquelle, the Egerer Badshaus (Eger bathhouse), the cafe in the park, a pleasure pavillion called the Neuquelle (new sources), the Siechenhaus, Loimanns Badehaus, the Franzensbad Kirche, the Salz und Wiesenquelle, the Franzensquelle, the Kaiserstrasse, the Louisenquelle, and a panaroma of Franzensbad. Most of the structures are classical in style, a few, grand in scale and ambition. All the illustrations are populated with well-dressed people, all tiny in the illustrations, to give a sense of Biedermeier scale and of the spirit and refinement of the place. Scarce -- no copies found on OCLC First Search or KVK. Condition: tape repair at fold of original paper cover. Foxing throughout the borders or margins. The illustrations themselves are exceptional bright and vivid.…