Brokatpapier [gilt-printed paper]
A large, gilt-embossed sheet.
[Augsburg, probably J. C. Munck, ca. 1780]. A large, oblong folio sheet of orange/terracotta painted wove paper, printed in gilt. (35.8 x 42.8 cm; printed area 30.7 x 36.1 cm, i.e., with ample margins) Loose, as issued.
A unique, finely printed and well-preserved sheet of embossed brocade paper, known in German as Brokatpapier, or Goldfirnishdruck (after the printing method). It is a special type of Buntpapier (German), or papier dominoté (French). It was probably meant as endpapers for folio-sized books, and shows a pattern of flowers and leaves, and garlands. This is almost certainly the work of the Augsburger printer Johann Carl Munck (1750-1794), known for his prints with floral patterns. The name of his firm, however, is not included - it may be a proof print. The edges are uncut, as issued, resulting in very wide margins. A weak, vertical fold, as usual, light, hardly distracting oxidation in places; otherwise, fine, the printing strong.