Titan Beetle
Depicted is a titan beetle (Titanus giganteus) from the rainforests of South America. It can reach the size of 17 cms. Together with the Hercules beetle it is one of the largest beetles of the world. At the bottom right corner a handwritten (by the publisher?) date and number: 1867.43. Verso handwritten in brown ink “Tafel 32 Titanus Giganteus Fabr.“
This beautiful watercolour by Friedrich Sturm (1805-1862) is a preliminary drawing for the famous “Buch der Welt” (Book of the World, publ. Stuttgart 1842-1872). Originally mounted on the upper corners on grey cardboard, some minor stains and some minimal toning, altogether in very good condition. With it comes the original handwritten description of the titan beetle on an extra sheet. Rare!
Sheet size: 23 x 18 cm
€ 850,-
Johann Heinrich Christian Friedrich Sturm (Nuremberg 1805-1862 ) was a German engraver, natural scientist and member of the renowned science academy “Kaiserlich-Leopoldinisch-Carolinische Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher“. He designed the preliminary drawings for the book series “Das Buch der Welt” (Book of the World), published by the Hoffmann'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung in Stuttgart between 1842 and 1872.