Beschreibung:

WIRRE, Heinrich (d.1572). Ordenliche Beschreybung der Fürstlichen Hochzeyt ... durch den Durchleüchtigen Hochgebornen Fürsten unnd Herrn, Herrn Wilhelm Pfaltzgraf beim Rheyn ... mit dem Hochgebornen Fräwlin Renatta geborne Hertzögen auss Luttringen den 21 tag Februarii des 1568 . Augsburg: Philipp Ulhart, 1568. 2° (307 x 206mm). Ornamental border to each page, 44 WOODCUTS WITH CONTEMPORARY HAND-COLOURING, comprising: 37 large amorial woodcuts, all but one within bay wreath (arms on E2v blank), double-page woodcut of arms on guard, folding woodcut on 4 sheets of the procession on guard, 5 double-page woodcuts of jousting and tournament scenes on guards, and 2 uncoloured armorial woodcuts at end, small woodcut of a newly struck Ducat in text. (A few tears without loss, browned, some spotting, tears in folding processional woodcut with minor loss.) Contemporary silver-stamped calf panelled with border roll, corner stamps and central arabesque lozenge, evidence of 4 ties, edges gilt and gauffered (worn). An elaborate commemoration of the wedding of Wilhelm, Pfalzgraf of the Rhein, and Renata, Herzögin of Luttringen, at Munich in 1568. Wirre, who admits to having arrived late for the festivities owing to bad weather, composed verses on the invited nobility from all over Europe, accompanied by large woodcuts of their arms. The arms of Ott von Byland are not printed, and in the verse Wirre explains, "sein Wappen mir erkandt ist nitt." Wirre also composed a full account of the events, costumes, procession, games and spectacles and details even the seating plan; double-page woodcuts illustrate five of the jousting matches.